Classification and management of the slit ventricle syndrome.

A total of 32 patients with overdrainage of CSF, fulfilling the radiological and clinical criteria for collapsed ventricles ("slit ventricles"), were classified into acute, subacute and chronic forms. The basis of classification into these categories was neurologic symptomatology. The majority (29 patients) originally had a ventriculoatrial shunt and 3 had ventriculoperitoneal shunts. Operative correction was performed in 23 patients (insertion of a high pressure valve in 18 and an antisiphon device in 5). Of these, 5 had acute, 10 subacute, and 6 chronic symptoms. Two patients without symptoms were operated on also. During the follow-up period, which varied from 2 to 11 months, no patient has shown recurrence of the original symptoms of the slit ventricle syndrome; two patients developed subacute signs and an antisiphon device was inserted in addition to the high-resistance valve. On the basis of this series, it is concluded that the slit ventricle syndrome can also develop in patients with an atrioventricular shunt and can be treated by preventing further overdrainage of CSF. Though the results are acceptable by present methods, the need for a servo-regulated shunt persists. The surgical correction should preferably be performed before the acute phase. A flowchart is presented for management of a child with suspected slit ventricles.