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Cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst presenting as a hepatic mass: a complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt
1Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Orange.
Pediatric Radiology
|January 1, 1989
Insights
A rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting occurred in a child with congenital hydrocephalus, where the shunt perforated the liver. Surgical revision and pseudocyst resection successfully treated this severe adverse event.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Congenital hydrocephalus is a condition requiring cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion.
- Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting is a common treatment for hydrocephalus.
- While generally safe, VP shunting can lead to rare but severe complications.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old male with congenital hydrocephalus presented with shunt-related complications.
- The VP shunt was suspected to have perforated the liver.
- This perforation led to the formation of a pseudocyst and hepatomegaly (enlarged liver).
Findings:
- The case highlights a rare instance of liver perforation by a VP shunt.
- The complication resulted in a significant pseudocyst and liver enlargement.
- Surgical intervention was necessary to address the complication.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of vigilance for rare VP shunt complications.
- Prompt surgical management is crucial for resolving such adverse events.
- Understanding these complications can inform surgical techniques and patient monitoring.
Abstract:
The case of a 3-year-old male child is reported who had a history of congenital hydrocephalus, treated by VP shunting. Severe complications with VP shunting are rare, but in this case the shunt had apparently perforated the liver, causing a pseudocyst to form and subsequent hepatomegaly. The shunt was revised surgically and the pseudocyst resected.