J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2013 Dec;54(6):525-527. 10.3340/jkns.2013.54.6.525.

Migration and Coiling of Peritoneal Catheter into the Subgaleal Space: A Very Rare Complication of Subgaleoperitoneal Shunt

• Yee GT
• Han SR
• Choi CY

• KMID: 2190952
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2013.54.6.525

Abstract

Upward migration of the peritoneal catheter of a subgaleo-peritoneal (SP) shunt and coiling into the subgaleal space is an extremely rare complication of a SP shunt. A 32-year-old male patient visited our hospital presenting with a large skull defect due to a prior craniectomy performed elsewhere. The patient underwent a cranioplasty with methylmetacrylate, but subsequently developed progressive pseudomeningocele and subgaleal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection. The patient underwent CSF diversion via a SP shunt. After SP shunting, the pseudomeningocele disappeared completely. Six months later, the patient presented with progressive scalp swelling. Skull X-ray showed migration and coiling of the distal catheter of the SP shunt. The patient was treated by removing the entire shunt catheter and the dura was covered with a subgaleal flap. We would like to report our experience with a very rare complication of subgaleo-peritoneal shunting.

Keyword

Subgaleo-peritoneal shunt; Migration; Pseudomeningocele

MeSH Terms

Adult
Catheters*
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Humans
Male
Scalp
Skull

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Brain computed tomography reveals the big right subgaleal fluid collection, pseudomeningocele.

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  Fig. 2 Skull (A) and abdominal (B) X-ray show the well placed proximal and peritoneal catheter.

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  Fig. 3 Lateral view of skull X-ray shows coiling of whole shunt catheter.

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  Fig. 4 Brain computed tomography demonstrates that pseudomeningocele is disappeared.

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