Dandy-Walker malformation: Surgical treatment of 17 cases

Seventeen patients with Dandy-Walker malformation were treated between 1985 and 2006. Hydrocephalus was present in 88% of patients at time of diagnosis. Cystoperitoneal and ventriculoperitoneal shunting were performed as primary modality of treatment in 2 and 13 cases respectively. Nine of them later required an additional shunting through a Y montage. Combined ventriculocystoperitoneal shunting was performed as primary modality in 2 patients. Following operation, two thirds of the patients had an IQ of 80 or more on long term evaluation and the outcome is even more favourable for children above 3 years. Early and adequate treatment of hydrocephalus is the single most important factor in providing the potential for normal intellectual development At the present time Dandy-Walker malformation is undoubtfully best managed by combined shunting of the cysts and lateral ventricles as initial procedure. (p25-30)