Delayed complication of Matson operation for hydrocephalus: case report.

A 26-year-old woman had had a lumbar subarachnoid-ureteral shunt established at the age of 10 weeks for hydrocephalus. She developed normally and had no trouble until meningitis developed because of reflux from a urinary tract infection. The meningitis responded to antibiotic treatment, and the shunt was removed from the subarachnoid space. Subsequently, the patient deteriorated clinically, with ictal episodes of altered consciousness, headache, and signs of midbrain dysfunction. Despite normal size ventricles on serial computed tomographic scans, her intracranial pressure was markedly elevated, which was shown by spinal puncture pressure. A diversionary lumboperitoneal shunt was inserted. An immediate, sustained recovery followed. The recognition of increased intracranial pressure in the absence of ventriculomegaly led to management that averted a disastrous outcome.