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Updated: May 2, 2026

Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus
Published on: October 14, 2022
[Reversible porencephalic cyst related to shunt dysfunction]
José M Santín-Amo, María Rico-Cotelo, Ramón Serramito-García
1Hospital Clinico de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Espana.
Insights
Porencephaly, a rare complication of cerebrospinal fluid shunts, can occur postoperatively, particularly in children with taut ventricles. Surgical revision of the shunt led to cyst resolution in a pediatric patient.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Hydrocephalus treatment commonly involves cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts in pediatric neurosurgery.
- CSF shunt complications, including obstruction, disconnection, overdrainage, and infection, are frequent in children.
- Porencephaly is a rare postoperative complication associated with CSF shunts.
Observation:
- A 7.5-year-old girl with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt presented with intermittent headaches.
- Head CT revealed a cyst in the right temporal lobe.
- The patient had a history of ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement.
Findings:
- Ventriculoperitoneal shunt revision was performed.
- Post-revision CT scans demonstrated gradual resolution of the temporal lobe cyst.
- The findings suggest a link between shunt dysfunction and cyst formation.
Implications:
- Cerebrospinal fluid porencephaly is a rare complication of ventricular shunts, often linked to distal catheter dysfunction.
- Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention, such as shunt revision, can lead to favorable outcomes.
- This case highlights the importance of considering shunt complications in pediatric patients presenting with neurological symptoms.
Introduction:
The surgical treatment of hydrocephalus is one of the most commonly procedures of modern pediatric neurosurgical practice, and cerebrospinal fluid shunts are the main means of treatment of hydrocephalus, being independent of site of obstruction and ventricular shunt complications are frequent, especially in children. The most common complications are shunt obstructions, mechanical disconnections, overdrainage and infection.
Case Report:
A 7.5-year-old girl with ventriculoperitoneal shunt presented with intermittent headache. A head computed tomography scan revealed a cyst located in right temporal lobe. After ventriculoperitoneal shunt revision, a gradual resolution of the cyst was demonstrated on computed tomography.
Conclusions:
Cerebrospinal fluid porencephaly is a rare postoperative complication of a ventricular shunt that results from dysfunction of the distal catheter, especially in children with taut ventricles.
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