Point-of-Care Ultrasound Assessment of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Patency: A Case Report

Hydrocephalus caused by obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow can be life-threatening if not promptly recognized and treated. Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement remains one of the most common therapeutic interventions; however, shunt malfunction is a frequent and potentially serious complication. Diagnosis can be challenging due to nonspecific clinical presentations and reliance on imaging modalities that may be time-consuming or limited in availability. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as a rapid, bedside diagnostic adjunct with growing clinical utility. We present the case of a 26-year-old man with a complex neurosurgical history who presented with fever, altered mental status, and concern for VP shunt malfunction. Pulse-wave Doppler POCUS was used to assess shunt patency at multiple points along the shunt pathway, demonstrating preserved CSF flow, suggesting the absence of complete mechanical obstruction. This case supports the expanding role of POCUS as a noninvasive, readily available tool for rapid VP shunt assessment.