Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 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

Abdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst occurring 21 years after ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement: a case report

Atsumi Tamura1, Dai Shida, Kyosuke Tsutsumi

  • 1Department of Surgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Bokutoh Hospital, 4-23-15 Koto-bashi, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 1308575, Japan.

BMC Surgery
|July 10, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Adults can develop abdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocysts, a rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS). This case highlights the importance of considering VPS complications in acute abdominal presentations.

Area of Science:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pediatric Surgery

Background:

  • Ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS) treat hydrocephalus but can have rare complications.
  • Abdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocysts are a known, though infrequent, complication of VPS.
  • While typically seen in childhood, pseudocysts can occur in adults with long-term shunt survival.

Observation:

  • A 22-year-old male presented with abdominal distention 21 years after VPS placement for spina bifida.
  • CT imaging revealed a fluid collection near the VPS catheter tip causing gastric obstruction.
  • Emergency laparotomy identified a large pseudocyst in the omental bursa.

Findings:

  • Surgical drainage of 1500 ml clear fluid from the pseudocyst.
  • Repositioning of the distal VPS catheter outside the cystic mass.
  • Diagnosis of an abdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst secondary to VPS.

Implications:

  • Gastroenterological surgeons must recognize this potential VPS complication.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid pseudocysts should be included in the differential diagnosis for acute abdomen in patients with VPS.
  • Awareness can lead to timely diagnosis and management, preventing life-threatening outcomes.
Abstract

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