Sub-galeal coiling of the proximal and distal components of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. An unusual complication and proposed mechanism.
We describe the case of a child in whom proximal migration of the peritoneal catheter and extrusion of the ventricular catheter resulted in the entire ventriculo-peritoneal shunt along with the shunt chamber (Orbis Sigma II valve) lying in a sub-galeal pocket in the occipital region in a tightly coiled fashion. This coiling was very similar in appearance to that of the pre-insertion shunt in the packaging when it is supplied; hence it is postulated that the migration was secondary to retained 'memory' of the shunt tubing. This is a rare complication of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, which has not been described before.
Dominguez
C J
CJ
Neurosurgical Department, The General Infirmary at Leeds, UK.
Tyagi
A
A
Hall
G
G
Timothy
J
J
Chumas
P D
PD
D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods