Complete migration of peritoneal shunt tubing to the scalp.
The entire length of distal tubing from a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was found to have migrated into the subgaleal space, and resulted in a shunt obstruction. Upward migration of distal shunt catheters has rarely been reported, but probably involves patient motion that creates a "windlass" effect. Cephaled migration requires a potential space (subgaleal or ventricular) and no resistance to movement of the tubing. This complication can be prevented by securing the shunt near the site of motion.
Heim
R C
RC
Department of Neurosurgery, Bethesda Naval Hospital, Maryland.
Kaufman
B A
BA
Park
T S
TS
D002675:Child, Preschool; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D012535:Scalp / Q000601:surgery; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000601:surgery*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / Q000295:instrumentation*