Ventriculoperitoneal shunt complications

Background

• Also called a cerebral sinus fluid (CSF), VP, or cerebral shunt
• Highest incidence of postoperative complications of any neurosurgical procedure
• May drain into peritoneal cavity or less commonly the R atrium, pleural cavity, ureter, GB

Clinical Features

• Develop over several days
• Adults
  • Cephalgia, N/V, lethargy, ataxia, altered mental status
  • Paralysis of upward gaze, dilated pupilsCN palsies
• Infants
  • Vomiting, irritability, bulging fontanelle
  • Often very subtle: simply a caregiver-reported change in behavior

Differential Diagnosis

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt problems

• Ventriculoperitoneal shunt obstruction
• Ventriculoperitoneal shunt overdrainage (Slit Ventricle Syndrome)
• Ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection
• Ventriculoperitoneal shunt mechanical failure

Loculation of Ventricles

• Separate, noncommunicating CSF accumulations may develop within a ventricle
  • Shunt device unable to drain entire ventricular system -> incr ICP

Abdominal Complications

• Pseudocyst may form around the peritoneal catheter
  • Can lead to occlusion and/or abdominal pain (depending on size)

Diagnosis

• Physical Exam
  • Neither Sn nor Sp
  • Locate valve chamber
    • Gently compress chamber and observe for refill
    • Difficulty compressing chamber indicates distal flow obstruction
    • Slow refill (>3s) indicates proximal obstruction
• Imaging
  • Shunt series
    • AP and lateral skull, AP chest and abdomen
    • Identifies kinking, migration, or disconnection
  • CT
    • Needed to evaluate ventricular size
    • Very helpful to compare to previous study (many pts w/ shunts have abnormal baseline)
  • If the baby has an open fontanelle, you may use US

Management

• Assume shunt malfunction in pts w/ suggestive features regardless of findings on imaging
• Ventriculoperitoneal shunt drainage

See Also

• CSF Studies