Secondary spinal canal stenosis associated with long-term ventriculoperitoneal shunting.

Secondary changes in the cervical spine were studied in 18 cases with long-term ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting. Significant decreases in the anteroposterior diameter of cervical spinal canal and interpedicular distance were noted in patients who had a VP shunt placed before 2 years of age and in whom sustained low intracranial pressure persisted for a long time, as evidenced by early closure of the cranial sutures or thickening of the cranial bones.