Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus
14:59

Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus

Published on: October 14, 2022

Intraperitoneal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst. A rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt

Th Birbilis1, K Kontogianidis, G Matis

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace Medical School, Alexandroupolis, Greece. mpirmpil@otenet.gr

Chirurgia (Bucharest, Romania : 1990)
|August 23, 2008
PubMed

Insights

A rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunts, abdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocysts can occur. This case highlights a large pseudocyst treated successfully by catheter repositioning and antibiotics.

Area of Science:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Ventriculoperitoneal shunts are common treatments for hydrocephalus.
  • Abdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocysts are rare but significant complications.
  • These pseudocysts can arise from shunt malfunction or infection.

Observation:

  • A 31-year-old female presented with a large abdominal pseudocyst one year post-ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion.
  • Imaging revealed a 50 cm3 cystic mass in the hepato-renal recess, containing the shunt's peritoneal tip.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid culture identified Staphylococcus epidermis infection.

Findings:

  • Distal externalization of the peritoneal catheter, without pseudocyst excision, was performed.
  • Antibiotic treatment targeted the identified Staphylococcus epidermis infection.
  • Symptoms resolved within 4 weeks, and a new shunt catheter was placed in a different abdominal quadrant.

Implications:

  • This case demonstrates a successful management strategy for abdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocysts.
  • Chronic inflammation or subclinical peritonitis may predispose patients to this complication.
  • Further research into preventative measures and optimal treatment protocols is warranted.

More Related Videos

Endoscopic Approach for Colloid Cyst Resection02:30

Endoscopic Approach for Colloid Cyst Resection

Published on: May 23, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction01:14

Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction

Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to a potentially life-threatening rise in pressure inside the skull. This usually happens when there is a major change in the volume of brain tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the three components inside the skull. According to the Monro-Kellie doctrine, if the volume of one component increases, the volumes of the other components must decrease to maintain normal pressure. If this does not happen, ICP rises.The process often begins with...
Cerebral Edema l: Introduction01:19

Cerebral Edema l: Introduction

Cerebral edema is a pathological increase in brain water content that disrupts intracranial pressure regulation and impairs neurological function. Because the cranial vault is rigid, even modest increases in tissue volume can compromise cerebral perfusion, distort neural structures, and initiate secondary injury. Cerebral edema develops through four principal mechanisms: vasogenic, cytotoxic, interstitial, and ionic.Vasogenic EdemaVasogenic edema arises from disruption of the blood–brain...
Anatomy of the Brain: Ventricles01:18

Anatomy of the Brain: Ventricles

There are hollow fluid-filled cavities known as ventricles deep inside the human brain. There are two lateral ventricles, one in each cerebral hemisphere, and each has three different projections — the anterior, inferior, and posterior horns visible from the lateral side. A thin membrane called the septum pellucidum separates the two lateral ventricles. The slender third ventricle in the diencephalon is connected to each lateral ventricle via a channel called the interventricular foramen. The...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...