Patent persistent fibrous tract in a patient with disconnected lumboperitoneal shunt

Abstract

Disconnection of proximal or distal catheter is seen more frequently in the complication of the lumboperitoneal (LP) shunt. A connective tissue sheath that forms around the peritoneal catheter of silicone shunt tubing is a normal biological response to foreign material. The literature did not establish whether the disconnected LP shunt can allow passage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through the disconnected portion. However, proof of the passage of CSF through these sheaths has been reported in only one published study to date. We present a case of a young patient with disconnected LP shunt who reported patent persistent fibrous tract around the tube shunt. In conclusion, asymptomatic patients with shunt disconnection should be evaluated with shuntography for patency of fibrous sheath before removal of the shunt to avoid the possible complications.