Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt procedure complicated by liver capsule perforation. A case report

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Pediatric Oncology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Obstructive hydrocephalus in postpartum patients can arise from various causes, including brain tumors.
• Cerebellar spongioblastomas are rare primary brain tumors.
• Ventriculo-peritoneal shunting is a common surgical intervention for hydrocephalus.

Observation:

• A 29-year-old woman developed obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to a cerebellar spongioblastoma.
• Treatment involved ventriculo-peritoneal shunting.
• A complication occurred: the peritoneal catheter perforated the liver capsule.

Findings:

• The case highlights a rare complication of ventriculo-peritoneal shunting: liver capsule perforation.
• The specific type and length of the peritoneal catheter were implicated in the complication.
• This underscores the importance of careful device selection in neurosurgical procedures.

Implications:

• Recommendations for appropriate catheter selection in similar complex cases are discussed.
• This case may inform surgical technique and device choice to prevent iatrogenic injury.
• Further research into optimal shunt components for specific patient anatomies is warranted.