Migration of a lumboperitoneal shunt catheter into the spinal canal--case report

A 50-year-old female suffered upward migration of a lumboperitoneal (LP) shunt catheter into the spinal canal, manifesting as disturbance of short-term memory. Revision of the shunt confirmed that the tube had migrated into the spinal canal. The tube was pulled back into the peritoneal cavity and attached firmly to the fascia with a new anchoring device. LP shunts have the advantages of technical simplicity and extracranial procedure, but firm fixation is recommended since movements of the spine may cause proximal tube migration.