Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus
Published on: October 14, 2022
Pediatric Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infections and the Risk of Multiloculated Hydrocephalus
Pınar Önal1, Ender Vergili2, Gözde Apaydın Sever1
1Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul, Türkiye.
Insights
Pediatric ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections (SIs) are linked to younger age. CSF pleocytosis before revision and longer treatment are risk factors for multiloculated hydrocephalus (MH) in children with SIs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Hydrocephalus Management
Background:
- Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infections (SIs) are a major complication in pediatric neurosurgery.
- These infections can lead to severe outcomes like multiloculated hydrocephalus (MH) and require multiple surgeries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical features, microbiology, and outcomes of pediatric SIs.
- To identify risk factors associated with the development of MH in these patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 124 pediatric patients undergoing VP shunt placement (2018-2023).
- Analysis of demographic data, CSF parameters, microbiology, treatment, and surgical interventions for 29 patients with SIs.
Main Results:
- The median age of infected patients was lower than non-infected patients (P=.01).
- Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common pathogen (58.6%).
- MH occurred in 20.6% of SI patients; prolonged treatment (P=.035) and pre-revision CSF pleocytosis (P=.04) were MH risk factors.
Conclusions:
- CSF pleocytosis before shunt revision and extended treatment duration are potential risk factors for MH.
- Younger age is a risk factor for SIs.
- Early detection of CSF inflammatory changes is crucial for identifying at-risk children and improving management of pediatric SIs.
Objective:
Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infections (SIs) remain a significant complication in pediatric neurosurgery, often leading to repeated surgeries and complex intracranial conditions such as multiloculated hydrocephalus (MH). This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, microbiological profiles, and outcomes of pediatric patients with SIs, as well as to identify possible risk factors associated with MH.
Materials And Methods:
Medical records of 124 pediatric patients who underwent VP shunt placement between 2018 and 2023 were reviewed. Among them, 29 children developed SIs. Demographic data, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters, microbiological findings, treatment durations, and surgical interventions were analyzed.
Results:
The median age of patients in the infection group was significantly lower compared to the non-infected group (P = .01). Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most frequently isolated microorganism (58.6%). Multiloculated hydrocephalus occurred in 20.6% of patients with SIs, while recurrent and late infections were observed in 27.5% and 20.6% of patients, respectively. Longer treatment duration (P = .035) and the presence of pleocytosis before shunt revision (P = .04) were identified as possible risk factors for developing MH.
Conclusion:
The study identified CSF pleocytosis before shunt revision and prolonged treatment duration as possible risk factors for MH. Younger age has also been found to be a possible risk factor for SI. These findings highlight the importance of recognizing early inflammatory changes in CSF to identify children at risk for this severe complication. Improved risk stratification may support more timely interventions and closer follow-up in the management of pediatric SIs.
Related Concept Videos
Brain Abscess l: Introduction
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management
Peritoneal Dialysis II: Peritoneal Dialysis Systems and Complications
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

