Cranial Migration of a VP Shunt—A Routine Procedure with a Rare Complication!

Abstract

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt is one of the commonest neurosurgical procedures associated with a high-rate complication. Moreover, the variety of complications are nonetheless astonishing. Shunt malfunction is considered the most common complication of this procedure, but a cranial migration of shunt leading to malfunction is extremely rare. We present a case of a 6-month-old male child who was initially managed with a right-sided medium-pressure ventriculoperitoneal shunt for aqueductal stenosis with hydrocephalus at the age of 3 months and presented to us with features of shunt malfunction owing to a cranial migration of the shunt assembly. Cranial migration of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt is an extremely rare complication. Its possible mechanism includes a large subgaleal space for the chamber, larger size burr hole, inadequate anchorage of the shunt assembly, and excessive neck movements of the child in the postoperative procedure.