Aesthetic Cranial Vault Expansion in a Child With Slit Ventricle Syndrome and Eumorphic Face.

ABSTRACT

Ventricular shunting procedures represent the classical surgical treatment for hydrocephalus. Slit ventricle syndrome (SVS) with craniocerebral disproportion (CCD) and secondary craniosynostosis (SCS) is a well-known but uncommon complication following cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting in children. Its general management includes shunt upgrade or revision, placement of anti-siphon devices, lumbo-peritoneal shunting, and endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Cranial expansion is generally considered a major procedure and is indicated when less invasive treatments fail. In these cases, SVS and associated SCS have been usually managed through anterior cranial vault expansion. This procedure aims to decrease the risk of further shunt revisions and to improve neurologic symptoms, but it takes the disadvantage of considerable iatrogenic alterations of the facial proportions. The authors report a case of a 6-year old boy with SVS and SCS, who maintained eumorphic face and was treated by an innovative post-coronal vault expansion ensuring a wide volume increase while avoiding any change of facial conformation.