Abdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocysts in patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts: 30 years of experienceFNx01

• Main Authors: Sanal M, Laimer E, Haussler B, Hager J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2007-01-01
• Series: Journal of Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons
• Subjects: Abdominal pseudocyst; Children; Hydrocephalus; Ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunction
• Online Access: http://www.jiaps.com/article.asp?issn=0971-9261;year=2007;volume=12;issue=4;spage=214;epage=217;aulast=Sanal
• ISSN: 0971-9261; 1998-3891

<b>Aim:</b> We evaluated the treatment outcome of the patients having cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst following ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. <b> Materials and Methods:</b> During the period of 1975 to 2005, 392 hydrocephalic patients underwent ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, of these eight developed abdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst. The medical records regarding the etiology of hydrocephalus, age of shunting, infectious screening, therapy and follow up were evaluated. <b> Results:</b> Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was normal in all except in 4 patients who showed high level of C-reactive protein. One patient had significant abdominal symptoms as pain, vomiting and diarrhea. All were treated by cyst excision, exteriorization of shunt and antibiotic treatment. A new shunt was placed once cerebrospinal fluid cultures were negative. <b> Conclusions:</b> cyst excision, appropriate antibiotic therapy followed by new shunt placement once cerebrospinal fluid cultures are negative constitutes the required treatment for these patients with abdominal pseudocyst.