Hepatic Liquoric Cyst as a Complication of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion: A Case Report

Background The ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) procedure is still themost used technique for management of hydrocephalus. This article reports a case of hepatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pseudocyst as a rare, but important, complication of the VPS insertion. Case Description An 18-year-old male presented to the hospital complaining of temporal headache and visual turbidity for approximately 3 months with a history of VPS insertion for treatment of hydrocephalus and revision of the valve in adolescence. The diagnosis was based on abdominal imaging, demonstrating an extra-axial hepatic CSF pseudocyst free from infection. Following the diagnosis, the management of the case consisted in the removal and repositioning of the catheter on the opposite site of the peritoneum. Conclusion The hepatic CSF pseudocyst is an infrequent complication of VPS procedure, but it needs to be considered when performing the first evaluation of the patient. Several techniques are considered efficient for the management of this condition, the choice must be made based on the variables of each individual case.

Infecciones del sistema nervioso central asociadas a dispositivos de derivación de LCR en niños, en un centro neuro-quirúrgico de referencia nacional / Central nervous system infections associated with CSF shunt devices in children, at a national reference hospital

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las infecciones asociadas a dispositivos de derivación de LCR son una complicación frecuente en su utilización. Lo más habitual es la presencia de cocáceas grampositivas, como Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa (50% en algunas series) y Staphylococcus aureus. Esta complicación agrega morbimortalidad al paciente neuroquirúrgico, aumentando la estadía hospitalaria y los costos de tratamiento. OBJETIVO: Conocer la incidencia de infecciones asociadas a dispositivos de derivación de LCR en un centro de referencia nacional. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo. Se recolectó la información de los pacientes pediátricos (bajo 18 años) entre 2018 y 2019. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo e inferencial utilizando el lenguaje estadístico R 3.4.0 y RStudio 1.3.9. Se calculó la incidencia acumulada para cada procedimiento, evaluando si existe diferencias significativas entre ellas. Estudio aprobado por el Comité de Ética Pediátrico del SSMO. RESULTADOS: En el período estudiado se realizaron 175 cirugías. Encontramos 19 casos de ventriculitis asociada a derivativa ventriculo-peritoneal y 7 casos en derivativa ventricular-externa. Los agentes más frecuentes fueron las cocáceas grampositivas. No se logró identificar factores de riesgo significativos.

BACKGROUND: Infections associated with CSF shunt devices are a frequent complication in their use. The most common is the presence of gram positive coccaceae, such as coagulase negative Staphylococcus (50% in some series) and Staphylococcus aureus. This complication adds morbidity and mortality to the neurosurgical patient, increasing hospital stay and treatment costs. AIM: To determine the incidence of infections associated with CSF shunt devices in a national referral center. METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive study. Information was collected on pediatric patients between 2018 and 2019. A descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed using the statistical language R 3.4.0 and RStudio 1.3.9. The cumulative incidence for each procedure was calculated, evaluating whether there were significant differences between them. This study was approved by the Pediatric Ethics Committee of the SSMO. RESULTS: In the period studied, 175 surgeries were performed. We found 19 cases of ventriculitis associated with ventriculoperitoneal derivative and 7 cases in ventricular-external derivative. The most frequent agents were grampositive coccaceae. It was not possible to identify significant risk factors.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Infection with External Ventricular Drainage: Analysis of the Risk Factors in 110 Patients of a Single Institution

Objectives External ventricular drainage (EVD) is extensively used in the neurosurgical practice with the purpose of monitoring the intracranial pressure and draining the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Despite its remarkable benefits, the technique is not devoid of risks, notably infections, which have been reported in up to 45% of the cases. Methods A retrospective analysis of the main risk factors for CSF infection in neurosurgical patients submitted to EVD at a single institution. We recorded and submitted to statistical comparison every risk factor for CSF infection present or absent in each of the 110 EVD patients enrolled, 53 males and 57 females, with an average age of 52.9 years, with different underlying neurosurgical conditions. Results Infection of the CSF occurred in 32 patients (29%). The rate of mortality related to CSF infection was of 18.7% (6 of 32). The risk factors that showed statistical significance for CSF infection in this series were: emergency surgery; length of stay at the intensive care unit (UCI); duration of the EVD; parenchymal and/or intraventricular hemorrhage; simultaneous infections; time of bladder catheterization; and the use of non-disposable adhesive drapes as part of the preparation of the wound area. Conclusions Infection of the CSF in patients submitted to EVD is multifactorial and a challenge in terms of prevention. Further studies proposing scores with blended risk factors may be useful to prevent and reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with CSF infection.

Ventricular-Peritoneal Shunt in Newborns in a High-Risk Maternity Unit: Case Series

Objective To identify factors related to ventricular-peritoneal shunt (VPS) complications in pediatric patients at a high-risk maternity hospital. Methods Prospective study, conducted between September/2018 and June/2019, with selected newborns without previous ventricular bypass who underwent neurosurgery for VPS placement in a high-risk maternity hospital in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. Diagnosis of hydrocephalus occurred by transfontanelle ultrasound. The variables were analyzed by Student t-test, adopting p < 0.05 as statistical significance. Results Seven newborns participated in the study, 3 male and 4 female. Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy was considered a positive influencing factor in the 1st minute Apgar.Hydrocephalus secondary to premature hemorrhagewas present inmost newborns. Prematurity, 1st minute Apgar score < 7, and birth weight< 2,500 g did not represent a significant negative risk factor for prolonged hospitalization after neurosurgery. One newborn had cerebrospinal fluid infection and was the only one with heart disease. Conclusion This is the first scientific research that associates the benefits of maternal use of folic acid during pregnancy to better newborn Apgar scores. Only one newborn developed complications after neurosurgery, the only one with an associated comorbidity. Further studies are needed to provide more evidence on risk factors related to complications of VPS implantation in newborns. This neurosurgical procedure in a highrisk maternity contributed to the early management of hydrocephalus.

Obstrucción intestinal por peritonitis esclerosante encapsulada en un adulto con derivación ventriculoperitoneal / Bowel obstruction caused by sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis in adult with ventriculoperitoneal shunt

Resumen Introducción La peritonitis esclerosante encapsulada es una inflamación crónica del peritoneo caracterizada por la formación progresiva de colágeno que produce un engrosamiento peritoneal que encapsula las asas del intestino delgado, produciendo una obstrucción intestinal. Caso clínico Varón de 83 años portador de catéter de derivación ventriculoperitoneal de baja presión desde hacía 8 años. Acude a Urgencias por clínica de obstrucción intestinal, con hallazgos radiológicos en relación con obstrucción de intestino delgado en probable relación con catéter de derivación ventriculoperitoneal, por lo que se decide realizar intervención quirúrgica urgente. Se confirmó la obstrucción intestinal y un cambio de calibre del íleon terminal. El intestino delgado estaba dilatado formando un ovillo, englobado por una pequeña cápsula fibrosa. Se realizó adhesiólisis y hemicolectomía derecha con resección del segmento intestinal afectado. La anatomía patológica fue compatible con peritonitis esclerosante encapsulada. Conclusiones La peritonitis esclerosante encapsulada es una causa poco frecuente y potencialmente grave de obstrucción intestinal y su forma secundaria está habitualmente asociada a la diálisis peritoneal crónica. Su diagnóstico radiológico es difícil y el tratamiento de elección es quirúrgico. Debemos considerarla en casos de obstrucción intestinal en pacientes portadores de derivación ventriculoperitoneal.

Introduction Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis is a chronic inflammation of the peritoneum characterized by the progressive accumulation of collagen. This leads to a thickening of the peritoneum, encapsulating loops of small bowel and causing intestinal obstruction. Case report 83 year old male, carrying a ventriculoperitoneal low pressure shunt for 8 years. The patient was admitted for emergency surgery after presentation for possible intestinal obstruction with radiological findings consistent with small bowel obstruction, probably related to the catheter of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Surgery confirmed bowel obstruction and a change of gauge of the terminal ileum. The small bowel was dilated into a ball, encased by a small fibrous capsule. Adhesiolysis and right hemicolectomy was performed with resection of the affected bowel segment. The pathology was consistent with sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis. Conclusions Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis is a rare and potentially serious cause of bowel obstruction and its secondary form is usually associated with chronic peritoneal dialysis. The radiological diagnosis is difficult and the treatment of choice is surgical. We must consider it in cases of intestinal obstruction in patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

Infección asociada a sistema de derivación de LCR: Recomendaciones de diagnóstico y tratamiento basado en la evidencia / CSF shunt-related infection: Diagnostic recommendations and evidence-based treatment

Los sistemas de derivación ventricular de líquido cefalorraquí- deo son frecuentemente utilizados en neurocirugía pediátrica para el tratamiento de la hidrocefalia de diversas etiologías. La infección es una de las principales causas de morbimortalidad en niños que son sometidos a procedimientos de colocación de derivaciones. Resumimos en esta actualización el manejo de las infecciones asociadas a shunt de acuerdo a la mejor evidencia disponible. (AU)

Shunting systems of the ventricular cerebrospinal fluid are often used in pediatric neurosurgery for the treatment of hydrocephalus due to different etiologies. Infection is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in children who undergo shunting procedures. We present an evidence-based update on the management of shunt-related infections. (AU)

Performance of the fixed pressure valve with antisiphon device SPHERA® in the treatment of normal pressure hydrocephalus and prevention of overdrainage / Efeito da válvula de pressão fixa com antisifão SPHERA®no tratamento da hidrocefalia de pressão normal e prevenção de hiperdrenagem

ABSTRACT Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is characterized by the triad of gait apraxia, dementia and urinary incontinence associated with ventriculomegaly and normal pressure of cerebrospinal fluid. Treatment is accomplished through the implantation of a ventricular shunt (VPS), however some complications are still frequent, like overdrainage due to siphon effect. This study analyses the performance of a valve with anti-siphon device (SPHERA®) in the treatment of patients with NPH and compares it with another group of patients with NPH who underwent the same procedure without anti-siphon mechanism (PS Medical® valve). 30 patients were consecutively enrolled in two groups with 15 patients each and followed clinically and radiologically for 1 year. Patients submitted to VPS with SPHERA® valve had the same clinical improvement as patients submitted to VPS with PS Medical®. However, complications and symptomatology due to overdrainage were significantly lower in SPHERA® group, suggesting it as a safe tool to treat NPH.

RESUMO A hidrocefalia de pressão normal (HPN) é caracterizada pela tríade de sintomas de apraxia de marcha, demência e incontinência urinária. O tratamento padrão é realizado através de implantação de derivação ventricular, porém várias complicações são frequentes, como a hiperdrenagem secundária ao efeito sifão. Este estudo avaliou o resultado da válvula SPHERA® no tratamento desses pacientes em comparação com um grupo controle (PS Medical®). 30 pacientes foram consecutivamente alocados em dois grupos de 15 e seguidos por 1 ano. Pacientes com a válvula SPHERA® tiveram o mesmo grau de melhora clínica em comparação ao grupo controle, no entanto as complicações diagnósticadas e sintomatologia secundária à hiperdrenagem foi significativamente inferior no grupo da válvula SPHERA® group, sugerindo-a como uma ferramenta segura e aplicável.

Manejo laparoscópico de pseudoquiste abdominal en paciente hidrocefálico / Laparoscopic treatment abdominal pseudocyst in hydrocephalic patient

Las complicaciones abdominales de las derivaciones ventrículo peritoneales en la hidrocefalia, no son raras. Los pseudoquistes abdominales se reportan entre un 1- 4,5 por ciento y la mayoría de los pacientes necesitan cirugía. Se presenta un paciente masculino de 28 años de edad con antecedentes de hemorragia intraventricular del recién nacido e hidrocefalia secundaria a la misma. Múltiples infecciones y revisiones del sistema derivativo, la última hacía 14 años. Sintomatología de 6 meses de evolución caracterizada por crisis de llanto incontrolables asociadas a sudoración marcada, sin horario fijo y de varias horas de duración. Ultrasonografía abdominal muestra pseudoquiste abdominal suprahepático. Recibe tratamiento por técnica laparoscópica con liberación de catéter peritoneal, marsupialización del quiste y recolocación del catéter en otro cuadrante peritoneal. El pseudoquiste abdominal es una complicación infrecuente de las derivaciones ventrículo-peritoneales y debe sospecharse en pacientes con dolor abdominal. Una vez diagnosticado, el tratamiento de elección debe ser la laparoscopia(AU)

Abdominal complications of peritoneal shunts for hydrocephalus, are not uncommon. Abdominal pseudocysts are reported between 1- 4.5 percent and most patients need surgery. A male patient of 28 years old with a history of intraventricular hemorrhage and newborn secondary to hydrocephalus presents itself. Multiple infections and derivative system revisions, the last for 14 years. Symptoms 6 months of evolution characterized by uncontrollable crying spells associated with marked sweating, no fixed hours and several hours. Abdominal ultrasonography shows suprahepatic abdominal pseudocyst. Treated by laparoscopic technique with release of peritoneal catheter drainage of the cyst and repositioning of peritoneal catheter in another quadrant. The abdominal pseudocyst is a rare complication of ventricular-peritoneal shunts and should be suspected in patients with abdominal pain. Once diagnosed, the treatment of choice should be laparoscopy(AU)

Histoplasmosis del sistema nervioso central en un paciente inmunocompetente / Histoplasmosis of the central nervous system in an immunocompetent patient

La histoplasmosis es una afección polifacética producida por el hongo dimorfo Histoplasma capsulatum , cuyas esporas son inhaladas y llegan al pulmón, órgano primario de infección. La forma meníngea, considerada como una de las manifestaciones más graves de esta micosis, suele presentarse en individuos con alteraciones en la inmunidad celular: pacientes con síndrome de inmunodeficiencia humana adquirida, con lupus eritematoso sistémico o con trasplante de órgano sólido, así como en lactantes, debido a su inmadurez inmunológica. La forma de presentación más usual es de resolución espontánea y se observa en individuos inmunocompetentes que se han expuesto a altas concentraciones de conidias y fragmentos miceliares del hongo. En estas personas, la afección se manifiesta por trastornos pulmonares y por la posterior diseminación a otros órganos y sistemas. Se presenta un caso de histoplasmosis del sistema nervioso central en un niño inmunocompetente.

Histoplasmosis is a multifaceted condition caused by the dimorphic fungi Histoplasma capsulatum whose infective spores are inhaled and reach the lungs, the primary organ of infection. The meningeal form, considered one of the most serious manifestations of this mycosis, is usually seen in individuals with impaired cellular immunity such as patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, systemic lupus erythematous or solid organ transplantation, and infants given their immunological immaturity. The most common presentation is self-limited and occurs in immunocompetent individuals who have been exposed to high concentrations of conidia and mycelia fragments of the fungi. In those people, the condition is manifested by pulmonary disorders and late dissemination to other organs and systems. We report a case of central nervous system histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent child.

Cateter ventriculoperitoneal migrado para o escroto através de hérnia inguinal ? Relato de caso / Ventriculoperitoneal shunt migrated to scrotum through inguinal hernia ? Case report

A derivação ventriculoperitoneal é atualmente o método mais utilizado no tratamento da hidrocefalia comunicante. As complicações mais comuns são a disfunção do shunt e infecções. Este relato de caso tem como objetivo apresentar um doente com idas recorrentes ao serviço de urgência por agitação psicomotora e dor abdominal, e cujo cateter distal previamente desconectado encontrava-se alojado no interior do saco escrotal através de hérnia inguinoescrotal. A formação de hérnia inguinal com migração de cateter é um evento raro no adulto, sendo mais comum na criança, possivelmente pela maior taxa de patência do processo vaginal e aumento da pressão intra-abdominal. No momento em que este artigo foi redigido, não foi encontrado caso semelhante na literatura...

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt is the most used method for the treatment of communicating hydrocephalus. Common complications include shunt dysfunction and infection. This case report aims to present a patient, with recurrent visits to the emergency department for abdominal pain and agitation, and whose distal catheter previously disconnected, was housed inside the scrotum through a scrotal inguinal hernia. The association of inguinal hernia and catheter migration is uncommon in adults, being more frequent in infants possibly because of the higher rate of patent processus vaginalis and increased abdominal pressure. No similar case was found in the literature by the time this article has been written...

Compressão medular decorrente de hiperdrenagem de derivação ventriculoperitoneal: uma rara complicação / Spinal cord compression caused by ventriculoperitoneal shunt overdrainage: a rare complication

A derivação ventriculoperitoneal (DVP) representa uma forma importante e comum de tratamento da hidrocefalia. Entretanto, pode ocorrer uma série de complicações durante a sua instalação ou por causa de seu mau funcionamento, como infecção, obstrução e hiperdrenagem liquórica. Nesse trabalho, descrevemos uma rara complicação em que um paciente submetido à DVP evoluiu com tetraparesia progressiva. Investigação posterior evidenciou hiperdrenagem da válvula, levando a diminuição do retorno venoso intracraniano, dilatação do plexo venoso epidural e consequente compressão medular no nível da junção bulbomedular. Após o diagnóstico, fizemos o ajuste no nível de desempenho da válvula, e o paciente evoluiu com melhora clínica. Concluímos que o conhecimento desse tipo de complicação associada à disfunção de DVP pode levar a um diagnóstico mais precoce e melhor resposta ao tratamento. O tratamento envolve a correção do fator causal, ou seja, a hiperdrenagem...

The ventriculoperitoneal shunt represents an important and common treatment of hydrocephalus. However, there may be a number of complications during installation or due to a malfunction, such as infection, obstruction and overdrainage. In this paper, we described a rare complication in a patient submitted to a shunt who evolved to progressive tetraparesis. Further investigation showed valve overdrainage, leading to a decrease in venous return, intracranial epidural venous plexus dilatation and consequent cord compression at cervicomedullary junction. After the diagnosis, we adjusted the level of performance of the valve and the patient clinically improved. We concluded that the knowledge of this kind of complication related to shunt dysfunction may take to an early diagnosis and a better treatment response. The treatment involves correcting the causative factor which is the overdrainage...

Factores de riesgo de infección de derivativa ventrículo peritoneal en pacientes pediátricos del Hospital Carlos Van Buren / Risk factors for ventricular peritoneal shunt infection in pediatric patients from the hospital Carlos Van Buren

Hydrocephalus is a common problem in Neurosurgery and Neurology. The usual treatment is the installation of a Ventricular Peritoneal Shunt (VPS). Infection is the most frequent and serious complication. With the aim to identify risk factors associated with infection in the post surgery of VPS in pediatric patients from Carlos Van Buren Hospital a case control study between 1998-2008 was done. Cases were patients with VPS infection reported to the Department of Nosocomial Infections. Results in contingency tables were analyzed to determine Odds Ratio. 264 surgical procedures were studied in 207 patients with 53 infections reported in 26 patients. Significant risk factors were: history of prior ventriculitis, VPS dysfunction and prior external ventricular shunt, concurrent infections at the time of surgery and a neurosurgeon without the specialty of pediatric neurosurgery. We concluded that antibiotic prophylaxis was not an important factor in preventing infection and the neurosurgeon experience is relevant to the development of VPS infections.

La hidrocefalia es un problema común en neurocirugía y neurología. Su tratamiento habitual es la instalación de una válvula derivativa ventrículo peritoneal (DVP) cuya complicación más grave y frecuente es la infección. Con el propósito de identificar los factores de riesgo de infección post-operatoria en pacientes con DVP del Hospital Carlos Van Buren (HCVB), se realizó un estudio caso-control en la población pediátrica con DVP instalada entre 1998 y 2008. Los casos fueron pacientes con una infección de DVP notificada en el Departamento de Infecciones Intrahospitalarias (IIH), y controles los que no presentaron infección. Se analizaron los resultados en tablas de contingencia para determinar los Odds Ratio correspondientes. Se estudiaron 264 procedimientos quirúrgicos, 207 pacientes y 53 infecciones notificadas en 26 enfermos. Los factores de riesgo significativos fueron el antecedente de ventriculitis previa, disfunción de DVP previa, derivativa ventricular externa previas, infecciones concomitantes al momento de la cirugía, y que el neurocirujano no tuviera la especialidad en neurocirugía pediátrica. Se concluyó que la profilaxis antimicrobiana no fue un factor importante en la prevención de infecciones y que la experiencia del neurocirujano es relevante en el desarrollo de infecciones de DVP.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infections in Children: A Study of 333 Consecutive Shunts in 6 Years

The major aims of this study were to estimate the infection rate and recognize the risk factor for ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infections in children. To analyze shunt infection rate and identify risk factors, a retrospective cohort analysis of 333 consecutive VP shunt series was performed at Seoul National University Children's Hospital in Korea between January 2005 and February 2011. Overall, 35 shunts (10.5%) were infected, which represented an infection rate of 0.075 infection cases per shunt per year. VP shunt infection occurred at a median of 1 month (range, 6 days to 8 months) after insertion. An independent risk factor for shunt infection was undergoing an operation before the first year of life (relative risk 2.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-4.48). The most common causative microorganism was coagulase-negative staphylococci in 16 (45.7%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus in 8 (22.9%). Methicillin resistance rate was 83.3% among coagulase-negative staphylococci and S. aureus. In this study, cerebrospinal fluid shunt infection rate was 10.5%. Infection was frequently caused by methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci and S. aureus within two months after shunt surgery. Vancomycin may be considered as the preoperative prophylaxis for shunt surgery in a situation where methicillin resistance rate is very high.

Acute Shunt Malfunction after Cesarean Section Delivery: A Case Report

Shunt malfunctions that require surgical intervention during pregnancy and the postpartum period are rare. Furthermore, no study has reported on an acute shunt malfunction immediately after cesarean section. Here, we describe the case of a 32-yr-old woman who became drowsy 12 hr after cesarean section delivery of her second child. She had a ventriculoperitoneal shunt placed to treat hydrocephalus associated with meningitis at 26 yr of age. Marked ventriculomegaly was seen on brain computed tomography and her consciousness recovered temporarily after aspirating cerebrospinal fluid from the flushing device. At surgery, the distal catheter tip was plugged by a blood clot. We believe that the blood spilled over during the cesarean section. The clogged catheter end was simply cut off and the remaining catheter was repositioned in the peritoneal cavity. Her consciousness recovered fully.

Giant hemicranial calcified subdural empyema - unusual complication following ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion.

The authors describe an extremely unusual case of a giant hemicranial subdural empyema occurring nine years after insertion of a venticuloperitoneal shunt. Though the empyema was evacuated, the child suffered significant morbidity and remained hemiparetic. The present case highlights the delayed morbidity following a ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion and the need of prolonged and regular follow up in children who have undergone this procedure.