Ventriculoperitoneal shunt failure as a secondary complication of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Case report

The authors report on a patient who presented with shunt failure due to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) following in vitro fertilization treatment. Shunt dysfunction was attributed to intraabdominal hypertension as a consequence of ascites. At surgery, the shunt was found to be patent. The peritoneal catheter was externalized and subsequently revised to become a ventriculoatrial shunt system. This led to clinical improvement in the patient and restoration of ventricular size. Such a shunt complication has not previously been reported. Neurosurgeons should be alerted to this possibility in view of the increasing use of assisted conception in many developed countries.