Large pseudocyst in the anterior extraperitoneal space as a complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt

Ventriculoperitoneal shunts are used as a common treatment for hydrocephalus to divert cerebrospinal fluid into the peritoneal cavity. However, the shunt devices have a high incidence of malfunction mainly caused by catheter obstruction or infection and are associated with various complications, 10-30% of which are abdominal. These complications include: peritoneal pseudocysts; pseudotumor of the mesentery; inguinal hernia; volvulus; ascites; peritonitis; migration of the catheter through the vagina, scrotum, umbilicus, or intestinal tract; and intestinal obstruction. In this paper, we report a patient with a large pseudocyst in the anterior extraperitoneal space caused by migration of a distal ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter (peritoneal catheter) that migrated from the peritoneal cavity to the anterior extraperitoneal space. Copyright (C) 2015, Taiwan Surgical Association. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.