Shunt malfunction caused by mischievous twisting of the valve by the patient: case report.
OBJECTIVE
We report an instructive case of repetitive shunt obstruction caused by mischievous turning of the valve by the patient.


METHODS
A 7-year-old boy underwent shunt replacement for hydrocephalus caused by intraventricular hemorrhage at birth; the shunt had been revised a month earlier. The boy experienced occasional episodes of headache and vomiting after the revision. A shunt survey revealed a twisted tube just proximal to the valve.


METHODS
After the valve was returned to its original position, the symptoms resolved. The patient confessed to a recent habit of turning the valve.


CONCLUSIONS
Although turning of the valve may be a potential cause of shunt obstruction, the use of craniography and/or a shunt series should be able to reveal these changes.
Nabika
Shinya
S
Department of Neurosurgery, Hiroshima City Asa Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan. noge@asa-hosp.city.hiroshima.jp
Oki
Shuichi
S
Sumida
Masayuki
M
Isobe
Naoyuki
N
D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D002648:Child; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation