CSF hydrothorax after ventriculoperitoneal shunt without catheter migration: a case report

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting is the most common procedure performed for the management of hydrocephalus. VP shunt related complications remain a persistent problem in current clinical practice. Five-year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital with persistent dyspnea complaint. The patient was operated at the age of 3 months and a VP shunt established in a different clinic due to hydrocephalus associated with Dandy-Walker malformation. The patient's chest X-ray revealed right sided pleural effusion. Thorasentesis was performed and the effusion was drained with a chest tube. The discharged liquid was consistent with CSF. Scintigraphic radionuclide shunt analyses were performed and CSF passage from abdomen to chest and lower mediastinal region was determined in the late static images. The patient was operated and the incorporated ventriculoperitoneal shunt was removed. Hydrothorax was completely resolved after early postoperative stage. CSF hydrothorax especially without catheter migration is an unusual but potentially serious-clinical complication.