Ventriculoperitoneal shunt mechanical failure: Difference between revisions

 
(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown)
Line 13: Line 13:
==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
*Shunt fractures may present with localized symptoms over the area (pain, erythema, fluid at skin)
*Shunt fractures may present with localized symptoms over the area (pain, erythema, fluid at skin)
*Features of raised ICP
*Features of [[elevated ICP]]
**Bulging fontanelles in infants
**[[Bulging fontanelle]]s in infants
**Irritability, lethargy
**Irritability, [[lethargy]]
**Headache
**[[Headache]]
**Nausea and vomiting, poor feeding
**[[Nausea/vomiting]], poor feeding
**Seizure
**[[Seizure]]
**Cushing's triad
**Cushing's triad


Line 25: Line 25:


==Evaluation==
==Evaluation==
*Shunt series (AP and lateral x=rays of skull, AP x-rays of chest and abdomen)
*Shunt series (AP and lateral x=rays of skull, AP x-rays of [[CXR|chest]] and [[KUB|abdomen]])
*Consider [[CT head]]
*Consider [[CT head]]
*24% of patients with documented shunt malfunction may show no radiologic evidence of the malfunction on plain films or CT<ref>Kim  TY, Stewart  G: Signs and symptoms of cerebrospinal fluid shunt malfunction in the pediatric emergency department. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2006; 22: 1.</ref>
*24% of patients with documented shunt malfunction may show no radiologic evidence of the malfunction on plain films or CT<ref>Kim  TY, Stewart  G: Signs and symptoms of cerebrospinal fluid shunt malfunction in the pediatric emergency department. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2006; 22: 1.</ref>
Line 32: Line 32:
*Neurosurgery consult
*Neurosurgery consult
**If critically high ICP and no neurosurgeon available, may need to tap shunt as temporizing measure
**If critically high ICP and no neurosurgeon available, may need to tap shunt as temporizing measure
==Disposition==
==Disposition==



Latest revision as of 16:54, 3 October 2019

Background

Causes

  • Fracture of tubing
    • Occurs many years after shunt placement in distal tubing
    • May present with mild symptoms of increased ICP and local symptoms of pain, erythema, edema
  • Disconnection
    • Occurs shortly after insertion
  • Migration
    • Presents as shunt failure
  • Misplacement
    • Usually manifests postoperatively

Clinical Features

Differential Diagnosis

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt problems

Evaluation

  • Shunt series (AP and lateral x=rays of skull, AP x-rays of chest and abdomen)
  • Consider CT head
  • 24% of patients with documented shunt malfunction may show no radiologic evidence of the malfunction on plain films or CT[1]

Management

  • Neurosurgery consult
    • If critically high ICP and no neurosurgeon available, may need to tap shunt as temporizing measure

Disposition

See Also

External Links

References

  1. Kim TY, Stewart G: Signs and symptoms of cerebrospinal fluid shunt malfunction in the pediatric emergency department. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2006; 22: 1.