Large Abdominal Cerebrospinal Fluid Pseudocyst Complicating Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt: About a Case and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background: Ventriculoperitoneal shunting is a simple neurosurgical technique used to treat hydrocephalus, but it is not without complications. One of these is abdominal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pseudocysts, which can occur in all age groups, with a highly variable onset time, ranging from a few weeks to several years after drainage. In this article, we report a rare case of abdominal CSF pseudocyst. Case presentation: 9-year-old girl admitted 2 months after ventriculoperitoneal shunt for permanent abdominal pain associated with vomiting and loss of appetite. Clinical examination of the abdomen revealed a voluminous swelling of liquid consistency, not painful to palpation. Abdominal and pelvic CT scans revealed a cystic formation encapsulating the tip of the drain. Surgery consisted of excision of the pseudocyst, evacuation of the fluid and replacement of the bypass drain. The patient made a full recovery. Conclusion: Peritoneal pseudocyst, although rare, is a significant complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunting. Cerebrospinal fluid infection has been identified as its most frequent cause. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended for optimal patient management.