Short-term dexamethasone treatment for symptomatic slit ventricle syndrome

Objective: The objective was to report our positive experience of using dexamethasone to treat 13 patients with symptomatic slit ventricle syndrome (SVS). Methods: Thirteen SVS patients who received dexamethaso ne during acute episodes were studied. The etiology for hydrocephalus was prematurity and intraventricular hemorrhage in 9 patients and neonatal meningitis, chorioamnionitis, Dandy-Walker variant, and congenital in 1 case each. The shunt was inserted at 1.8±1.0 months of age and SVS was diagnosed at 4.9±3.2 years of age. Results: All patients reporte d relief and shorter duration of symptoms with dexamethasone. Surgical intervention was decided upon and carried out within 11±8 months of SVS diagnosis in 9 out of 13 patients. The other 4 are being monitored and continue to receive dexamethasone when needed. Conclusions: Dexamethasone appears to be a useful treatmen tin acutely increased intracranial pressure caused by SVS. It can provide temporary relief during the decision-making process of whether and when to perform surgery.