Intratumoral abscess: an unusual complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection.
BACKGROUND
Ventriculoperitoneal shunts were routinely used in the past in children with posterior fossa tumors and hydrocephalus. They can, however, cause a multitude of problems.


METHODS
This report highlights a previously unencountered phenomenon of a pyogenic abscess forming within a posterior fossa ependymoma as a result of shunt infection. The shunt was exteriorized and the child treated with antibiotics before surgery was done. Only a partial excision of the tumor was possible, as the inflammatory response caused by the abscess had obliterated tissue planes.
Shankar
A
A
Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College and Hospital, 632004, Vellore, India.
Chacko
G
G
Chacko
A G
AG
D000583:Amikacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003388:Cranial Fossa, Posterior / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000583:Amikacin; D002439:Cefotaxime