[Abdominal pseudocyst as a complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt]

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Ventriculoperitoneal shunts are common treatments for hydrocephalus.
• Abdominal pseudocysts are an infrequent complication of these shunts, rarely seen in adults.

Observation:

• A 47-year-old man with congenital hydrocephalus and a lifelong ventriculoperitoneal shunt presented with abdominal pain.
• Radiological diagnosis confirmed an abdominal pseudocyst.

Findings:

• This case represents a rare occurrence of abdominal pseudocyst in an adult patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
• The complication developed despite the shunt functioning for decades.

Implications:

• Abdominal pseudocysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in adult patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts.
• Early suspicion and diagnosis are crucial for appropriate management of this rare complication.