PNR Head 17 prior

History

Major Findings

Compared to prior CT from 6 months prior:

Subtle, slight increase in caliber of slit-like ventricles

Teaching Points

In a chronically shunted patient with stiff ventricles and slit ventricle syndrome, even a "slight" change in ventricular size indicates increased intracranial pressure since stiff ventricles cannot expand to accommodate the increased (underdrained) CSF.  

When comparing to prior exams, remember not just to eyeball but measure, measure, measure!

Please be aware of the difference between "slit" ventricles, which can have many etiologies, and "stiff" ventricles, which represents one etiology of slit ventricles. See this link: