title: Pneumoperitoneum and signs of peritonitis from a pleuroperitoneal shunt.
abstract: Pleuroperitoneal shunting has become an increasingly popular therapeutic option for the control of intractable pleural effusions. However, there exists a paucity of information regarding institutional and individual experiences with this technique. We report an unusual complication of a Denver pleuroperitoneal shunt that resulted in pneumoperitoneum and a clinical picture of diffuse peritonitis from a ruptured abdominal viscus. The cause of this condition was continuous decompression of a pneumothorax into the peritoneal cavity, through the shunt.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-9031.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lopez-Viego
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cornell
mesh_terms: D004322:Drainage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010537:Peritoneum; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D010994:Pleura; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000628:therapy*; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic