Shunt dependence: myths and facts.

Introduction: Chronically shunted patients are believed to be unable to have a shunt-free life. Nevertheless, sometimes shunt removal is possible after an endoscopic third ventriculostomy, even after long periods of cerebral spinal fluid diversion. Results and discussion: We perform a literature review that leads to a discussion of this subject in the light of the current medical knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]