Persistent lower abdominal pain induced by long peritoneal shunt catheter.

Abstract

Persistent abdominal pain directly induced by a peritoneal catheter of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, which is associated with no other complications such as bowel perforation, pseudocyst or infection, has not been previously reported. A 65-year-old woman with hydrocephalus developed persistent lower abdominal pain radiating to the perineal area after shunt insertion. Radiography suggested that the distal end of a peritoneal catheter was located in a cul-de-sac of the pelvis. Otherwise, all studies were negative for shunt infection, fluid collection, or other abdominal and pelvic events. The patient's pain resolved completely after surgery in which the peritoneal catheter was shortened. In the presence of unexplained, persistent lower abdominal pain after shunt placement, the need to shorten the peritoneal catheter should be considered.

• Authors: P R Chen, R F Spetzler
• Journal: Acta neurochirurgica (Acta Neurochir (Wien)) Vol. 150 Issue 8 Pg. 829-31; discussion 831 (Aug 2008) ISSN: 0942-0940 [Electronic] Austria
• PMID: 18574547 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Abdominal Pain (etiology, surgery)
• Aged
• Embolization, Therapeutic
• Equipment Design
• Female
• Humans
• Hydrocephalus (surgery)
• Intracranial Aneurysm (complications, therapy)
• Pelvic Pain (etiology, surgery)
• Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (complications, therapy)
• Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt (adverse effects, instrumentation)