A Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt With Anal Protrusion Causing Meningitis in A Child

Cureus. 2023 Sep 24;15(9):e45857. doi: 10.7759/cureus.45857. eCollection 2023 Sep.

Abstract

The ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt has been one of the primary methods for treating hydrocephalus for many years and is one of the most frequent surgical interventions performed in neurosurgery using a variety of techniques and different VP shunt types. Consequently, shunt insertion is associated with many complications, including insertion failure, functional failure, and mechanical failure such as shunt migration. Shunt migration to the gastrointestinal or urogenital tract is a rare and one of the most distressing complications, which can lead to ascending infection and even meningitis. We report a rare case of a 24-month-old male with a VP shunt tube that migrated and protruded from the anus, subsequently causing meningitis.

Keywords: anal protrusion; child; complication; meningitis; ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

Publication types

  • Case Reports