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 dexamethasone 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 reported 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 treatment in acutely increased intracranial pressure caused by SVS. It can provide temporary relief during the decision-making process of whether and when to perform surgery.