Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 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

Tension hydrothorax in a pediatric patient with a ventriculopleural shunt

Teresa S Wu1, Ronald Kuroda

  • 1EM Ultrasound Program, Simulation Based Training Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, Maricopa Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85008, USA.

The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|April 6, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Ventriculopleural shunts can malfunction, causing tension hydrothorax, a life-threatening condition. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment by emergency physicians are crucial for patient survival.

Area of Science:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Ventriculopleural shunts have been used for hydrocephalus management since the early 1900s.
  • Shunt malfunctions can lead to pleural fluid accumulation and tension hydrothorax.
  • Increasing use of these shunts necessitates emergency physician awareness of potential complications.

Observation:

  • Tension hydrothorax secondary to ventriculopleural shunt malfunction is rare.
  • This case report details the presentation and management of a pediatric patient in the Emergency Department.
  • The patient presented with a tension hydrothorax due to a defective ventriculopleural shunt.

Findings:

  • Untreated tension hydrothorax can lead to hemodynamic decompensation and cardiopulmonary arrest.
  • Early diagnosis and prompt fluid drainage are critical for patient survival.
  • This is the first emergency medicine literature article describing this specific pediatric case.

Implications:

  • Emergency physicians must be familiar with life-threatening complications of ventriculopleural shunts.
  • Prompt identification and treatment of tension hydrothorax improve patient outcomes.
  • Increased utilization of ventriculopleural shunts highlights the need for heightened clinical vigilance.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats04:12

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats

Published on: March 28, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology01:08

Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology

Pneumothorax means the presence of air in the pleural space — the thin potential gap between the visceral and parietal pleura. This condition disrupts the normal pressure balance that keeps the lungs inflated, leading to partial or complete collapse of the affected lung.Normal physiologyUnder normal conditions, the pleural space maintains a slightly negative intrapleural pressure, which keeps the lungs expanded against the chest wall. This negative pressure creates a delicate balance between...
Pneumothorax-I01:26

Pneumothorax-I

A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax-II01:27

Pneumothorax-II

Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
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...
Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis01:26

Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis

Thoracentesis(Thoracocentesis), commonly known as pleural tap, is a medical procedure where a 22 gauge needle is inserted into the pleural space, the area between the lung and chest wall. This procedure is commonly performed to diagnose or treat various respiratory disorders.
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen01:16

Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen

Oxygen therapy is a pivotal aspect of medical care, particularly for patients with respiratory ailments. Two prominent oxygen-delivering systems include the Venturi mask and the transtracheal oxygen catheter.
Venturi Mask
The Venturi mask, named after the Venturi effect, is designed to deliver precise oxygen concentrations. It consists of a large tube with an oxygen inlet that narrows down, causing a pressure drop that pulls air in through adjustable side ports. The mask is a lightweight,...