Ventriculoperitoneal shunt complications: Difference between revisions

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{{VP shunt prob DDX}}
{{VP shunt prob DDX}}


==Loculation of Ventricles==
===Loculation of Ventricles===
*Separate, noncommunicating CSF accumulations may develop within a ventricle
*Separate, noncommunicating CSF accumulations may develop within a ventricle
**Shunt device unable to drain entire ventricular system -> incr ICP
**Shunt device unable to drain entire ventricular system -> incr ICP


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

Revision as of 14:05, 18 July 2015

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

Differential Diagnosis

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt problems

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)

Management

See Also

CSF Studies

Source

Tintinalli