Ventriculoperitoneal shunt for tuberculous meningitis-associated hydrocephalus: long-term outcomes and complications

Hydrocephalus is a frequent complication of tuberculous meningitis (TBM), and ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) has been shown to improve short-term prognosis for patients with TBM-associated hydrocephalus. However, questions remain about long-term prognosis and shunt-related complications. This study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of both long-term prognosis and shunt-related complications in patients with TBM-induced hydrocephalus who have undergone VPS treatment.

This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of TBM patients with hydrocephalus treated with VPS at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between December 1999 and February 2023. Both short-term outcomes at discharge and long-term outcomes during follow-up were examined. Prognosis and shunt-related complications were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and the Activity of Daily Living (ADL) score to evaluate neurological function and autonomic living ability, respectively.

A total of 14 patients with TBM-associated hydrocephalus were included in this study. Of these, 92.9% (13/14) exhibited favorable short-term outcomes, while 57.1% (8/14) showed positive long-term outcomes. Initial results indicated 6 complete recoveries (CR), 7 partial recoveries (PR), and 1 treatment failure. No catheter-related complications were observed initially. Long-term results included 4 CRs, 4 PRs, and 6 treatment failures. A variety of shunt surgery-related complications were noted, including three instances of catheter obstruction, one of incision infection, one of catheter-related infection, one of acute cerebral infarction, and one of transient peritoneal irritation accompanied by diarrhea.

VPS appears to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for TBM-associated hydrocephalus, efficiently alleviating acute intracranial hypertension. Nonetheless, continuous long-term monitoring and proactive management are essential to mitigate the risk of catheter-related complications.