Gliomatosis peritonei associated with a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt

Abstract

Gliomatosis peritonei (GP) is defined as the implantation of mature glial tissue within the peritoneal cavity. It is a rare benign condition usually described in the setting of ovarian teratomas. It can also occur as a rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts, when it is attributed to transport of glial tissue from the cerebrospinal fluid into the peritoneal cavity via the shunt. However, most cases have been described in young children, who present with inguinal hernias and with glial implants detected on microscopic analysis of their hernia sacs. We describe an unusual presentation of GP with a peritoneal mass and ascites in a 27-yearold woman with a history of posterior fossa surgery and VP shunt for treatment of medulloblastoma.