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Intragastric migration of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter
Neurosurgery
|August 1, 1987
Insights
A child experienced bacterial meningitis and shunt malfunction due to ventriculoperitoneal shunt migration into the stomach. This rare complication, intragastric shunt catheter migration, was successfully treated.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Pediatric Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Posttraumatic hydrocephalus requires cerebrospinal fluid diversion via shunts.
- Ventriculoperitoneal shunts are common for hydrocephalus management.
- Shunt complications include infection and malfunction.
Observation:
- A child presented with bacterial meningitis and shunt dysfunction two years post-ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion.
- The distal shunt catheter was found to have migrated and penetrated the gastric wall.
Findings:
- This case represents a rare instance of intragastric shunt catheter migration.
- The patient's condition was successfully managed, with no prior reports of similar successful treatment.
Implications:
- Highlights the potential for delayed and unusual ventriculoperitoneal shunt complications.
- Emphasizes the importance of considering rare migration pathways in shunt dysfunction.
- Suggests that successful conservative or surgical management is possible for intragastric migration.
Abstract:
A child developed bacterial meningitis and shunt dysfunction 2 years after the insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for posttraumatic hydrocephalus. The distal end of the shunt catheter had penetrated the gastric wall. We found no other report of intragastric shunt catheter migration with successful treatment.