Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are common. Unfortunately shunt complications are also common!
There are 3 major categories of shunt complications:
- Mechanical Failure - obstruction, fracture, disconnection, migration, perforation
- Functional Failure - overdrainage, slit ventricle syndrome, pseudocyst, ascites, meastasis
- Infection - may occur in up to 10% of patients (bacterial, fungal, parasitic)
Shunt series are helpful, but are NOT 100% sensitive. If you have a clinical concern for a shunt complication, make sure to involve neurosurgery.
For more reading:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7053664/
- https://www.ebmedicine.net/topics/neurologic/pediatric-ventriculoperitoneal-shunt
- https://www.annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644(16)00025-1/fulltext