Migration of the distal catheter of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt in hydrocephalus patients

Neurosciences (Riyadh). 2017 Oct;22(4):298-302. doi: 10.17712/nsj.2017.4.20170137.

Abstract

Distal catheter migration of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is a rare but serious complication. It is usually asymptomatic. However, it can be further complicated by the presence of co-infections, interruption of the shunt, and/or disturbances in penetrated organ function. In this report, we presented a case of spontaneous complete extrusion of the distal end of a VPS catheter through the intact abdominal wall in a 5-year-old boy with hydrocephalus. We also reviewed and analyzed the literature for similar cases of complete extrusion of the distal end of a VPS catheter, through an intact or a potential weakness in the body wall, in the last 20 years. From the reviewed literature, we did not observe any difference (p>0.05) in the incidence of this complication between cases with an intact or a potential weakness in the body wall.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Foreign-Body Migration / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus / surgery*
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology*
  • Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / adverse effects*