Unusual complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery

Abstract

Ventricular shunts are commonly employed in the management of hydrocephalus, and numerous complications such as dissection or migration have been reported in the literature besides shunt malfunction. We present a case of the migration of the peritoneal catheter into the scrotum who attended at our institute. He was managed successfully, but subsequently developed intraabdominal cystic swelling for which he was reoperated.

Cerebrospinal fluid hydrocele caused by scrotal migration of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt

“…An inguinal hernia can also occur in some cases after VPS placement in children 2. However, the migration of VPS tip into the hernial sac is a rare event.…”

Case report of migration of 2 ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheters to the scrotum: Use of an inguinal incision for retrieval, diagnostic laparoscopy and hernia repair

“…[2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14] In children, the persistence of a patent processus vaginalis (PPV) may lead to the formation of an inguinal hernia. [29] Even if a hernia is not yet present, the PPV provides a migration pathway for a fractured shunt catheter.…”

“…A handful of case reports have reported migration to the scrotum. [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14] Other complications of shunt migration have included: colonic perforation [15], shunt abandoned in the pelvis [16], fistulization to the umbilicus [17], intracardiac migration and knotting [18], peroral extrusion [19], gastric perforation [20], bladder perforation [21], CSF leakage in the neck [22], pulmonary vasculature migration [23], breast migration with CSF galactorrhea [24], intestinal perforation [25], pneumonia caused by transdiaphragmatic erosion [26] and liver perforation [27].…”

An unusual case of recurrent pneumonia

“…The migration of VP shunts has been reported to have occurred in many different anatomical locations, including the scrotum,7 (via the inguinal canal),8 intracranial dislocations of the catheter,9 pulmonary artery,10 under silicone breast implants,11 heart,12 13bladder,14 gallbladder,15 vagina,16 17 gastrointestinal tract,18 (including bowel perforations)19 and chest20 (including into the pleural space) 21. There have also been reported cases of VP shunt migration to the umbilicus,22 anus17 and internal jugular vein 23…”