Patient dependant on ventriculo-atrial shunt after 49 years

Abstract

The insertion of ventriculo-atrial (VA) shunts has been performed for the treatment of hydrocephalus since the 1950s. Thrombosis, infection, pulmonary hypertension, tricuspid stenosis, shunt nephritis, intra-cardiac migration due to displacement or fracture are reported complications.¹ We present the case of a 49-year-old female who had a VA shunt as a baby, that was never revised, who presented with a neck abscess related to the shunt tubing.

Keywords::

• CSF shunt
• hydrocephalus
• shunt dependance
• shunt fracture
• ventriculo-atrial shunt

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organisation or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. All authors had substantial contribution towards the work. Mr P Leach and Mr R Hussain contributed towards the conception of the work, and Dr HM Jones drafted the work. Mr P Leach, Mr R Hussain and Dr H.M. Jones all contributed towards the final approval of the version to be published, and are all in agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work.