A rare case of shunt malfunction attributable to a broken Codman-Hakim programmable shunt valve after a blow to the head.
We report a rare case of shunt malfunction resulting from breakage of the Codman-Hakim programmable shunt valve system following a blow to the head. Originally, the patient had suffered intraventricular hemorrhage a month after birth; ventriculoperitoneal shunt was performed at 7 months. After that, the shunt valve functioned well for 7 years. The patient presented with headaches after receiving a blow behind the right ear. The headache became exacerbated with activity and improved with rest. Damage to the shunt valve was identified during surgery, with a crack at the top of the valve housing. Symptoms resolved following a change of the complete shunt system. The possibility of damage to the shunt valve following a blow should be considered in shunt patients presenting with headaches.
Okazaki
T
T
Department of Neurosurgery, Hiroshima City ASA Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan. okazaki@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Oki
S
S
Migita
K
K
Kurisu
K
K
D002648:Child; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D012086:Reoperation; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / Q000009:adverse effects*