Slit ventricle syndrome presenting with paroxysmal hypersomnia in an adult: case report

Abstract

The slit ventricle syndrome (SVS), defined as intermittent shunt malfunction without substantial ventricular enlargement, is usually observed in shunted children with small, slitlike ventricles. This syndrome has been attributed to recurrent obstruction of the ventricular catheter, which then causes an increase of intracranial pressure. Only rarely has the SVS been reported in adults. We describe a 29-year-old woman whose shunt malfunction presented with long-lasting paroxysmal hypersomnia and was diagnosed with computed tomographic evidence of small lateral ventricles. This episodic hypersomnia presented every 2 to 3 weeks and each episode lasted 1 to 2 weeks. After revision of the ventricular catheter, her symptoms stopped and she remained well.