The concept of becoming independent of a shunt is not universally accepted 1).
Some feel that shunt independence occurs more commonly when the hydrocephalus is due to a block at the level of the arachnoid granulations (communicating hydrocephalus), 2) but others have shown that it can occur regardless of the etiology 3). These patients must be followed closely, as there are reports of death as late as 5 years after apparent shunt independence, sometimes without warning 4).