Fractured VP Shunt: Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Malfunction

Presentation

Headache and vomiting. Background of spina bifida and VP shunt in situ.

Patient Data

Age: 15 years

Shunt series

A right trans-parietal VP shunt catheter is in situ traversing the right side of the neck and chest. It is intact and continuous proximally but fractured with distal tubing separated and dependent in the lower pelvis.

Repeat shunt series

A new left trans-parietal VP shunt catheter has been placed with the distal tip in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. The cranial component of the old right shunt tubing was removed intraoperatively, but the rest was left in situ.

Case Discussion

The old right VP shunt was removed and a new left sided one was successfully placed.

Case courtesy of Dr Yusra Sheikh, Radiopaedia.org. From the case rID: 93490