Vp Shunt Dysfunction

These patients are more prone to vps dysfunction often requiring surgical revision.

Vp shunt dysfunction. The pressure in the peritoneal cavity is the lower of the two in a properly functioning system. This review suggests that constipation may affect the fluid or pressure dynamics of the vp shunt and contribute to shunt dysfunction. Constipation can cause transient malfunction of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt vps.

Causes of vp shunt malfunction. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt vps placement is one of the most commonly performed neurosurgical procedures and is necessary to treat most forms of hydrocephalus. 1 shunt series x rays is equivalent to 2 years of background environmental radiation.

Debris choroid plexus fibrosis infection catheter migration into parenchyma distal. Temporary vp shunt dysfunction due to increased intraperitoneal pressure vp shunts function because of the pressure differential between the intraranial space and the peritoneal cavity. Shunt series x rays x rays of the skull chest and abdomen looking for signs of any mechanical shunt dysfunction.

In 6 cases a bowel cleansing was performed and signs and symptoms of shunt dysfunction resolved without shunt revision. Ventriculoperitoneal vp shunt complications include blockage and infection early and prompt detection of shunt dysfunction is vital as delay can lead to markedly raised intracranial pressure coning and death. They should not be used as first line investigations firstly due to the low sensitivity 30 pujara et al referrals for suspected vp shunt dysfunction and the radiation risk it poses to patients.

All patients with suspected vp shunt dysfunction should be discussed with neurosurgery. Anything that disrupts this balance can result in dysfunction of the system. Unfortunately complications related to vps placement are common and multiple shunt revisions are almost expected throughout a patient s lifetime.

Mechanical shunt obstruction is the most common reason for failure and in proximal catheter failure this typically means obstruction by the choroid plexus 3. Shunt dysfunction or failure was defined as shunt revision subsequent endoscopic third ventriculostomy or shunt infection 2. Kinking infection migration of catheter pseudocyst.