If the ventriculoatrial shunt disappears

Abstract

The Seldinger procedure is used to place the distal catheter of a medical device called a ventriculoatrial shunt into the internal jugular vein to treat chronic hydrocephalus. We present the case of a 40-year-old man who, 3 years after the distal catheter’s implantation, experienced disconnection and migration in the pulmonary arteries, which was discovered by the recurrence of Hakim-Adams syndrome. A pigtail catheter and lasso snare retrieval device were used in an endovascular operation to quickly remove the migrated catheter. The placement of a contralateral ventriculoperitoneal shunt was beneficial for the patient. The patient’s case serves as a reminder that, in the absence of cardiac or pulmonary issues, interventional radiology should be sought to remove migrating endovascular foreign material.