Cerebrospinal fluid shunt valve fracture with separation: report of three cases.

Three cases of shunt valve fracture with separation are reported. Fracture with separation of the shunt valve of a cerebrospinal fluid shunt is an infrequent occurrence. Because a portion of the shunt valve is radiolucent on a shunt survey radiograph, this problem is easily overlooked if it occurs. The diagnosis can be made by comparing old and new shunt survey radiographs and noting the increased distance between radiopaque portions of the shunt on the new x-ray films.