Isolated ophthalmological manifestations due to malfunction of a lumboperitoneal shunt: shortening of the spinal catheter in three pediatric patients.

A long-term follow-up study was conducted in 28 pediatric patients treated with lumboperitoneal shunting. Shunt malfunction was observed in 3 patients (10.6%) who presented with isolated ophthalmological abnormalities 3, 5, and 11 years after surgery. The mechanism of this phenomenon is considered to be very slowly developing malfunction secondary to shortening of the spinal catheter associated with child's growth. The importance of periodic funduscopic examination in patients treated with lumboperitoneal shunting in infancy is stressed.