Intratumoral abscess: an unusual complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Ventriculoperitoneal shunts were routinely used in the past in children with posterior fossa tumors and hydrocephalus. They can, however, cause a multitude of problems.

CASE REPORT:

This report highlights a previously unencountered phenomenon of a pyogenic abscess forming within a posterior fossa ependymoma as a result of shunt infection. The shunt was exteriorized and the child treated with antibiotics before surgery was done. Only a partial excision of the tumor was possible, as the inflammatory response caused by the abscess had obliterated tissue planes.

• Authors: A Shankar, G Chacko, A G Chacko
• Journal: Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery (Childs Nerv Syst) Vol. 20 Issue 3 Pg. 204-6 (Mar 2004) ISSN: 0256-7040 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 14747956 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Amikacin
• Cefotaxime

Topics

• Amikacin (therapeutic use)
• Brain Abscess (diagnosis, pathology, surgery)
• Cefotaxime (therapeutic use)
• Cerebellar Neoplasms (diagnosis, pathology, radiotherapy, surgery)
• Child, Preschool
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Cranial Fossa, Posterior (pathology, surgery)
• Cranial Irradiation
• Drug Therapy, Combination (therapeutic use)
• Ependymoma (diagnosis, pathology, radiotherapy, surgery)
• Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections (diagnosis, pathology, surgery)
• Humans
• Hydrocephalus (surgery)
• Male
• Neoplasm, Residual (diagnosis, radiotherapy)
• Postoperative Complications (diagnosis, pathology, surgery)
• Prosthesis-Related Infections (diagnosis, pathology, surgery)
• Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
• Skull Base Neoplasms (diagnosis, pathology, radiotherapy, surgery)
• Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt (adverse effects)