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Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus
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Cryptococcal ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection

Matthew J Viereck1, Nohra Chalouhi1, David I Krieger1

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Journal of Clinical Neuroscience : Official Journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
|September 16, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Late-onset fungal infections of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are rare. This case highlights a Cryptococcus neoformans VP shunt infection occurring over 20 years after placement, challenging typical timelines.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Microbiology

Background:

  • Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are standard treatment for hydrocephalus.
  • Shunt infections are a known complication, but fungal infections are rare.
  • Cryptococcus neoformans is an uncommon cause of VP shunt infection.

Observation:

  • A patient developed a VP shunt infection.
  • The causative organism was identified as Cryptococcus neoformans.
  • Infection symptoms appeared over two decades after shunt placement.

Findings:

  • This case represents a delayed-onset fungal VP shunt infection.
  • Cryptococcus neoformans infection of a VP shunt occurred more than 20 years post-implantation.
  • The typical timeframe for shunt infection symptom onset is significantly shorter.

Implications:

  • Highlights the possibility of extremely late-onset fungal shunt infections.
  • Suggests prolonged vigilance for shunt complications, even decades after placement.
  • Underscores the need to consider rare pathogens in persistent or unusual shunt-related symptoms.
Keywords:
CNS shunt infectionCryptococcusVentriculoperitoneal shunt

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