Ventriculoperitoneal shunt in patients with leptomeningeal metastasis.

The authors reviewed 37 patients with leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) who required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP shunt) for management of intracranial hypertension. Improvement was seen in 27 (77%) patients; subdural hematoma developed in one and shunt malfunction in three. Median overall survival was 2 months (range 2 days to 3.6 years) after VP shunt placement, but there was no procedure-related mortality. The prognosis of LM remained poor, but VP shunt can be an effective palliative tool when required.