Intestinal perforation due to a ventriculoperitoneal shunting catheter

Abstract

Introduction: The ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt allows the drainage of excess cerebrospinal fluid; among its gastrointestinal complications are intestinal volvulus, pseudocyst, and perforation, the last of which is rare but potentially serious, with a frequency between 0.1% and 0.7% and a mortality rate around 15%. We present the case of a male child who required VP shunt colocation and suffered GI tract perforation with transanal protrusion. Case report: A three-year-old male with a long clinical history of pilocytic astrocytoma in the posterior fossa that was partially resected in February 2022 and with VP shunt placement since March 2022. He was diagnosed with an intestinal perforation and anal externalization due to a VP shunt. He required surgery and management with combined antimicrobials. Discussion: Although the aetiology of GI tract perforation due to a VP shunt is not fully established, some risk factors have been described, including the use of abdominal trocars, rigid distal catheters, silicone allergies, and children's thin intestine walls. Treatment must be individualized, with some principles including external drainage of the proximal part until the CSF fluid reaches a biochemically near-normal state and becomes sterile on culture; secondly, the administration of intravenous antibiotics; and finally, the removal of the perforating section of the catheter. Conclusions: Bowel perforation due to a VP shunt is an extremely rare entity whose aetiology is not fully established, primarily affects children and may be mostly related to chronic-irritative gastrointestinal distress. Individualizing treatment is the cornerstone of the therapeutic approach that includes VP shunt replacement, antimicrobial therapy, and management of life-threatening complications.