Thanks for your response. The conversation with my doctors (neurotologist and neurosurgeon) concentrated on the current leak and the shunt was mentioned only in passing. I was remiss in not catching the shunt reference (my wife actually pointed it out later) and following up.

Apparently the logic is that something must be causing the leaks and high intracranial pressure is the most logical cause. A lumbar puncture did not indicate high pressure, but the leak is probably keeping the pressure down, Prior to the first leak I did not have the common symptoms, which makes me wonder.

After some on-line research I talked with a family friend who is in the medical profession and she suggested that I might consider a second opinion. This conversation is part of the process of determining whether or not the second opinion is needed.