Clinical Significance of Ventricular Size in Shunted-Hydrocephalic Children

For maintaining the intracranial buffering capacity against shunt obstruction, we tried to seek the most suitable size of the lateral ventricles in hydrocephalic children. Thirty-seven shunted-hydrocephalic children who required emergent revision of the shunt were analyzed. At the time of shunt obstruction, the lateral ventricle remained small (0.35 or less than 0.35 on the Evans’ index) in 13 patients (Slit-like group), but it enlarged (more than 0.35 on the Evans’ index) in 24 patients (Dilated group). The mean age in the Slit-like group was significantly older than in the Dilated group and there was no patient younger than 3 years in the Slitlike group. Compared with the Dilated group, the Slit-like group showed significantly rapid deterioration into lethargy after shunt obstruction. Also, at the time of obstruction CT scans showed a significantly higher rate of narrowing of the ambient cistern. While the shunt was working well before shunt obstruction, the Evans’ index was less than 0.33 in all patients of the Slit-like group. In conclusion, because small ventricles after shunt strongly suggest the presence of ventricular tautness, the lateral ventricular size should be maintained at more than 0.33 on the Evans’ index in shunted children at an age of 3 or more than 3 years.