Huge subcutaneous extraperitoneal pseudocyst after migration of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter

The formation of an intraperitoneal pseudocyst as a complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunts is well known. However, the formation of a pseudocyst at the subcutaneous extraperitoneal abdominal space is unusual and likely secondary to the migration of the peritoneal catheter. We present a 53-year-old male who had placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for hydrocephalus secondary to a vestibular schwannoma. Five months later, he presented with an enormously distended abdomen. Investigations showed the peritoneal catheter in the extraperitoneal space within a large right lower quadrant abdominal wall pseudocyst. The patient was taken to the operating theatre, and the shunt was externalised at the original abdominal incision. Approximately 3 L of cerebrospinal fluid were aspirated from the distal peritoneal catheter. After negative cultures, a new peritoneal catheter was placed intraperitoneally at the contralateral lower abdominal quadrant. The contralateral quadrant was utilised to prevent fluid accumulation into the old extraperitoneal cavity.

Rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt: Ectopic distal catheter in a Grynfeltt hernia – case report

Background: Ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPSs) insertion is the most common used intervention in cases of hydrocephalus. The main postoperative complications are infections and catheter obstructions. Although the literature has well-documented cases describing migration of the distal catheter, this rare presentation can become more confusing when occurring in conjunction with some unusual preexistent morbidity in the patient, as a Grynfeltt hernia. Case Description: This study reports a rare case of a VPS postoperative migration, in which the distal catheter exits the abdominal cavity through a Grynfeltt hernia. This condition was not discovered until the catheter fistulated through the overlying skin. The Grynfeltt hernia is the most uncommon among the lumbar ones and it’s asymptomatic in the majority of the cases, being hardly diagnosed. Conclusion: The unusualness of the reported case deserves furthermore discussion to properly evaluate these underlying mechanisms of catheter migration.

LMD-01. Quantifying intrathecal drug delivery utilizing programmable ventriculoperitoneal shunts

Background Programmable ventriculoperitoneal shunts (pVP shunts) are increasingly utilized for intraventricular chemotherapy, radioimmunotherapy, and/or cellular therapy. Shunt adjustments allow optimization of thecal space drug concentrations with minimization in the peritoneum. Drug delivery quantification using several types of pVP shunts has not been reported. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis on patients with CNS tumors and pVP shunts at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center from 2003–2020, noting shunt model. CSF flow through the pVP shunt was evaluated using In-111-DTPA scintigraphy at approximately 4 and 24 hours after injection. pVP shunts were calibrated pre-injection to minimize peritoneal flow and re-calibrated to baseline setting 4–5 hours following injection. Scintigraphy studies quantified ventricular-thecal and peritoneal drug activity at these 2 time points. Results Twenty-one CSF flow studies were administered to 15 patients, ages 1–27 years. Diagnoses included medulloblastoma (N=10), metastatic neuroblastoma (N=3), pineoblastoma (N=1), and choroid plexus carcinoma (N=1). Models of pVP shunts included Aesculap Miethke proGAV (N=3), Aesculap Miethke proGAV2.0 (N=3), Codman HAKIM (N=2), Codman Certas Plus (N=1), Medtronic STRATA (N= 5), and Sophysa Polaris (N= 1). All 21 studies (100%) demonstrated ventriculo-thecal drug activity. 29% (6 of 21) of the studies had no peritoneal uptake visible by imaging. 73% (16 of 21) of the studies had minimal peritoneal uptake (<12%), and 24% (5 of 21) demonstrated moderate peritoneal uptake (12–37%). Models of pVP shunts measuring minimal to no peritoneal uptake included: Aesculap Miethke proGAV (N=2), Aesculap Miethke proGAV2.0 (N=3), Codman HAKIM (N=2), Codman Certas Plus (N=1), Medtronic STRATA (N= 3), and Sophysa Polaris (N= 1). Conclusions pVP shunts successfully deliver drugs to the ventriculo-thecal space with 80% of studies having minimal (<12%) peritoneal drug activity. Though efficacy varies by shunt model, low numbers preclude conclusions regarding model superiority. CSF flow scintigraphy studies reliably assess drug distribution.

The Effectiveness of Antibiotic-Coated Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts for Prevention of Shunt Infections in Patients with Myelomeningocele

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> Hydrocephalus is a common comorbidity among the newborns, with myelomeningocele (MMC) and ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts being frequently used for the treatment of such patients. In this study, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of antibiotic-free and antibiotic-coated shunts to reduce the rate of shunt infection in patients with hydrocephalus and accompanying MMC. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> 116 patients with hydrocephalus and MMC who were treated with VP shunts were included in the study. Shunt infection rates among antibiotic-free and antibiotic-coated shunts were compared. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of the 116 patients included in the study, 39 had antibiotic-coated shunts and 77 had antibiotic-free shunts. Shunt infection developed in 4 of the 39 cases treated with antibiotic-coated shunts and in 5 of the 77 cases treated with shunts without antibiotics. No significant statistical difference was found between antibiotic-coated and antibiotic-free VP shunts in terms of shunt infection (<i>p</i> = 0.450, <i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In patients with MMC, using VP shunts containing antibiotics was found not to have a protective effect in preventing shunt infection. Whether the sac is intact or ruptured does not affect this result.