Delayed intracerebral hemorrhage after ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion. Case report and literature review

Comparison of endoscopic third ventriculostomy versus cerebrospinal fluid shunt procedures for the treatment of pediatric hydrocephalus in Taiwan

PURPOSE

Pediatric hydrocephalus is the most common cause of surgically treatable neurological disease in children. Controversies exist whether endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt placement is the most appropriate treatment for pediatric hydrocephalus. This study aimed to compare the risk of re-operation and death between the two procedures.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective population-based cohort study and included patients younger than 20-years-old who underwent CSF shunt or ETV for hydrocephalus from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

RESULTS

A total of 3,555 pediatric patients from 2004 to 2017 were selected, including 2,340 (65.8%) patients that received CSF shunt placement and 1215 (34.2%) patients that underwent ETV. The incidence of all-cause death was 3.31 per 100 person-year for CSF shunt group and 2.52 per 100 person-year for ETV group, with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.66-0.94, p = 0.009). The cumulative incidence competing risk for reoperation was 31.2% for the CSF shunt group and 26.4% for the ETV group, with an adjusted subdistribution HR of 0.82 (95% CI = 0.70-0.96, p = 0.015). Subgroup analysis showed that ETV was beneficial for hydrocephalus coexisting with brain or spinal tumor, central nervous system infection, and intracranial hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

Our data indicates ETV is a better operative procedure for pediatric hydrocephalus when advanced surgical techniques and instruments are available.

Delayed Intracerebral Hematoma after Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt in the Context of Ruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformation: A Literature Review

Hemorrhagic complications arising from ventricular drainage procedures are typically asymptomatic and of low volume. A particular subset of these complications, known as delayed intracranial hemorrhage (DICH), is however recognized for its particularly poor prognosis. We primarily aimed to identify epidemiological characteristics associated with DICH, to shed light on its occurrence and potential risk factors. To do so, we performed a retrospective analysis of a series of ten patients who presented with DICH in the context of a ruptured brain arteriovenous malformation (bAVM) and a systematic literature review of all DICH cases reported in the literature. Our ten patients showed delayed neurological deterioration after a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) procedure, with a computed tomography (CT) scan revealing a DICH surrounding the ventricular catheter, distinct and away from the nidus of their previously ruptured bAVM. Four patients (40%) rapidly declined and passed away, three (30%) required surgical management and the remaining three (30%) demonstrated gradual clinical improvement with conservative management. In the literature, most patients presenting with DICH had hydrocephalus associated with neurovascular disorders (47% of cases), such as bAVM rupture in our present series. These constatations point out the significance of the underlying pathologies potentially being predisposed to these unusual complications.

Delayed Intracerebral Hemorrhage after Placement of a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt in a Case of Hydrocephalus: A Rare Case Report and Review of Literature

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is a frequently performed operation to achieve cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion but is associated with many complications. Postoperative delayed intracerebral hemorrhage is a kind of rare but catastrophic complication of a VP shunt which questions the survival of a seemingly recovered patient. Here, we present one such case where the patient presented to casualty in altered sensorium and with a history of vomiting. On examination, the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was E2V1M3; pupils were middilated but reactive. Computerized tomography of the brain showed ventriculomegaly and hydrocephalus, and an emergency VP shunt was done. There was an initial phase of good recovery followed by sudden loss consciousness, vomiting, and a fall in the GCS scores on postoperative day 7. Computed tomography showed an intracerebral hematoma along the shunt track and an intraventricular bleed. The presumed cause for this occurrence is a deranged coagulation profile.

Thromboembolic infarction caused by an unknown patent foramen ovale 30 years after VA shunt insertion: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Ventriculoatrial shunt (VA) insertion is one of the possible surgical procedures to treat hydrocephalus. However, it is also associated with several complications such as obstruction and shunt infection as well as life-threatening complications like intraatrial thrombus or thrombosis on the distal catheter. In this case report, we share a rare case of a patient with a VA shunt, who was admitted to our hospital with a stroke.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 56-year-old female patient with suspected acute stroke was admitted to the stroke unit. CT and MRI scans showed multiple cerebral infarctions in both hemispheres. The transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showed at the tip of the VA shunt catheter, which was implanted about 30 years ago due to aqueduct stenosis, also a thrombotic formation as the reason of stroke. Interestingly, the tip of the catheter was not in the right atrium as expected, but in the left atrium. Further evaluation showed a patent foramen ovale (PFO), through which the catheter migrated from the right to the left side. At first, conservative treatment with anticoagulation was started with the aim to dissolve the thrombotic formation; however, a control TEE showed an unchanged mass at the catheter tip. Therefore, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was implanted and the proximal shunt catheter was removed with an additional closure of the PFO by our heart surgeons. Postoperatively, the patient was discharged 10 days later in good condition to a rehabilitation center.

CONCLUSIONS

Thromboembolic events due to a PFO are rare but possible life-threatening complication after VA shunt insertion. Therefore, preoperative cardiac diagnostic might be clinically relevant prior to a VA shunt implantation to avoid such complications.

Delayed Intraventricular Hemorrhage following a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement: Exploring the Surgical Anatomy of a Rare Complication

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement is one of the commoner neurosurgical procedures worldwide. The purpose of this article is to report a case of delayed intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) following a VPS and to review the literature regarding anatomic factors that could potentially explain this rare complication. A 78-year-old man with normal pressure hydrocephalus, who underwent an uneventful right VPS placement, suffered from a catastrophic isolated IVH five days later. The reported cases of delayed intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) following VPS are rare and those with IVH are even rarer. Potential factors of surgical anatomy that could cause delayed ICH/IVH following a VPS procedure include erosion of vasculature by catheter cannulation, multiple attempts at perforation, puncture of the choroid plexus, improper placement of the tubing within the brain parenchyma, VPS system revision, venous infarction, vascular malformations, head trauma, and brain tumors. Other causes include generalized convulsion, VPS system malfunction, increased intracranial or blood pressure, sudden intracranial hypotension, and bleeding disorders. According to the current literature, our case is the first reported delayed isolated IVH after a VPS placement so far. Neurosurgeons should be aware of the delayed ICH/IVH as a rare, potentially fatal complication of VPS, as well as of its risk factors.

Delayed Intracerebral Hemorrhage Secondary to Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Postoperative delayed intracerebral hemorrhage (DICH) secondary to ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is a rare but severe event. The present study aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors related to DICH after placement of the VP shunt.

METHODS

The clinical data from 532 patients with VP shunt were collected retrospectively. All clinical variables were examined by univariate analysis, and a binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors related to DICH.

RESULTS

DICH occurred in 20 patients, from 3 to 10 days after placement of the VP shunt. Univariate analysis showed significant differences between the patients with DICH and without DICH with respect to age, history of hypertension, history of craniotomy, and features of the first computed tomography (CT) scans after placement of the VP shunt (all P < 0.05). The binary logistic regression analysis showed that age, history of craniotomy, and features of first CT scans after placement of the VP shunt were independent risk factors for DICH (all P < 0.05). The prognosis for patients with DICH was consistent with the hematoma volume and the neurologic status at the time of hospital admission (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

DICH is a rare and potentially severe complication secondary to VP shunt, and a repeat of cranial CT scans after placement of the VP shunt is recommended. Advanced age, craniotomy history, and brain edema around the catheter on the first cranial CT scan after placement of the VP shunt served as independent risk factors for DICH. The patients with DICH with poor neurologic status at the time of hospital admission or large hematoma volume were associated with poor outcome.

Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage Secondary to Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt in Adults without Bleeding Tendency

BACKGROUND

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is a common procedure in daily neurosurgical practice. According to some reports, the rate of intracerebral hemorrhage secondary to VPS in patients with no bleeding tendency can be 43.1%; however, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) secondary to VPS is rare with only sporadic cases reported in adults. To further elucidate the characteristics, mechanism, management, and prognosis of SICH secondary to VPS, we performed a retrospective study in our institution and a systematic review of the literature.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the medical records of patients admitted for VPS was performed. We also performed a systematic PubMed search of published studies.

RESULTS

Of 5 patients identified at our institution, 3 experienced a favorable recovery. Including our case series, there were 16 (8 female) patients. The time interval from the termination of VPS procedure to SICH was 4 hours to 15 days. All but 1 patient experienced intracerebral hemorrhage adjacent to cannulation. Of 11 patients in whom a Glasgow Outcome Scale score could be obtained, the score was 5 in 4 patients, 4 in 1 patient, 3 in 1 patient, and 1 in 5 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

SICH is a rare complication after VPS in adults without bleeding tendency. The mechanism is obscure, management is challenging, and prognosis is dismal. Future prospective study is anticipated.

Characteristics of delayed intracerebral hemorrhage after ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion

BACKGROUND

Delayed intracerebral hemorrhage after ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt insertion is rare and has not been well investigated previously. Its characteristics is still unknown.

OBJECTIVE

We reported 12 patients with delayed intracerebral hemorrhage after VP shunt to investigate the potential risk factors and the outcome.

RESULTS

12 patients (1.59%) of all the 754 hydrocephalus had delayed intracerebral hemorrhage after VP shunt insertion. 4 patients were women and 8 patients were men, ranging in age from 50 to 76 years. The delayed cerebral hemorrhage from day 3 to day 7 post operation was diagnosed by repeated CT. The delayed intracerebral hemorrhage was significantly related to age, prior craniotomy operation history and manipulation of valve system (3-7 days). Neither gender sexuality nor potential risk factors for postoperative hemorrhage (including anticoagulation/antiplatelet status, liver disease, diabetes, hypertension), time of shunt attempt affected the happen of delayed intracerebral hemorrhage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The clinical characteristics including sex, age, anticoagulation/antiplatelet status, liver disease, diabetes, hypertension, craniotomy operation history, manipulation of valve system and time of shunt attempt of 754 patients who were surgically treated of VP shunt at the first affiliated hospital of Soochow University between 2007 and 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. The potential risk factors of the delayed intracerebral hemorrhage were statistically analyzed.

CONCLUSIONS

This study summarizes the presentation and outcome of a series of 12 patients with delayed intracerebral hemorrhage after VP shunt. Age ≥ 60 years, prior craniotomy operation and manipulation of the valve system are statistically significant to the delayed hematoma secondary to VP shunt.

Delayed intracerebellar hemorrhage secondary to lumboperitoneal shunt insertion

Aim of this paper is to present and discuss a case of a delayed cerebellar parenchymal hemorrhage developing after L/P shunt placement with a NPH patient. A hypertensive patient admitted to our clinic with a diagnosis of NPH. The patient was placed a pressure adjustable L/P shunt without any surgical complication. He was discharged with an uneventful period. The patient was admitted to the emergency clinic of our hospital with a 1.5 × 1.5 cm diameter hematoma at the left cerebellar hemisphere on 2 days after his discharge. CSF drainage by an L/P shunt can generate intracerebellar hemorrhages especially in hypertensive patients.

Delayed Intracerebral Hemorrhage Secondary to Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt: A Case Report and Literature Review

The ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is a routine procedure for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion, and is associated with many complications. A delayed hemorrhage after the VP shunt surgery, however, is quite rare. In this study, we report a case involving late-onset hemorrhage. The 67-year-old male patient with a history of head trauma and brain surgery underwent a VP shunt placement for hydrocephalus. The surgery course was uneventful and no bleeding was revealed in the first computed tomographic (CT) scan after the procedure. However, a massive intraparenchymal and intraventricular hemorrhage occurred 8 h following adjustment of the valve system on the 8th day after surgery.Erosion of the vasculature by catheter cannulation and a sudden reduction of CSF pressure after downregulation of the valve could be one of the possible causes of the intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Multifocal intraparenchymal hemorrhages after ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery in infants

OBJECT

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery is the most common treatment for hydrocephalus. In certain situations, uncommon complications can occur after shunting procedures. The authors undertook this study to analyze the clinical characteristics of pediatric patients who developed multifocal intraparenchymal hemorrhages (MIPHs) as a complication of shunt surgery. The authors also analyzed the risk factors for MIPH in a large cohort of patients with hydrocephalus.

METHODS

This study included all pediatric patients (age < 18 years) who underwent VP shunt surgery at the authors' institution between January 2001 and December 2012. During this period, 507 VP shunt operations were performed in 330 patients. Four of these patients were subsequently diagnosed as having MIPH. The authors analyzed the clinical characteristics of these patients in comparison with those of the entire group of shunt-treated patients.

RESULTS

The incidence of MIPH was 1.2% (4 of 330 cases) for all pediatric patients who underwent VP shunt placement but 2.9% (4 of 140 cases) for infants less than 1 year old. When the analysis was limited to patients whose corrected age was less than 3 months, the incidence was 5.3% (4 of 76 cases). Of the 4 patients with MIPH, 2 were male and 2 were female. Their median age at surgery was 54 days (range 25-127 days), and in all 4 cases, the patients' corrected age was less than 1 month. Three patients were preterm infants, whereas one patient was full-term. None of these patients had a prior history of intracranial surgery (including CSF diversion procedures). All showed severe hydrocephalus during the preoperative period. Their clinical courses as patients with MIPH were comparatively favorable, despite the radiological findings.

CONCLUSIONS

MIPH is a rare but not negligible complication of VP shunt surgery. This complication might be a unique phenomenon in infants, especially young, preterm infants with severe hydrocephalus. Moreover, the absence of previous intracranial procedures might be one of the risk factors for this complication. The rapid alteration of brain conditions in the setting of immaturity might cause MIPH. To prevent this complication, the authors recommend that pressure settings of programmable valves should be gradually adapted to the target pressure.

Hemorrhage rates associated with two methods of ventriculostomy: external ventricular drainage vs. ventriculoperitoneal shunt procedure

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion is an essential component of neurosurgical care, but the rates and significance of hemorrhage associated with external ventricular drainage (EVD) and ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt procedures have not been well quantified. In this retrospective study, the authors examined the frequencies of hemorrhagic complications associated with EVD and VP shunt procedures, and attempted to identify associated risk factors. The treatment records of 370 EVDs in 276 patients and 102 VP shunts in 96 patients performed between 2008 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Post-insertion computed tomographic (CT) scans were analyzed for any new hemorrhage related to the ventricular catheter. The effects of diagnosis at admission, endovascular treatment, anti-platelet medication, and a concurrent craniotomy operation were included in the analysis conducted to identify risk factors of ventricular catheter-related hemorrhage. Hemorrhage following EVD was detected on CT scans in 76 (20.5%) of the 370 cases. However, symptomatic hemorrhage occurred in only 5 cases (1.4% of all EVDs). VP shunt was associated with a higher incidence of ventricular catheter-related hemorrhage than EVD (hemorrhage rate: 43.1%) and the rate of detectable neurological change was 2.9%. Multivariate logistic-regression analysis of risk factors of EVD-related hemorrhage identified preoperative anti-platelet medication as the only significant factor (odds ratio, 3.583 [95% confidence interval, 1.353 to 9.486]; p = 0.010). Ventriculostomy-related hemorrhagic complications were more common than anticipated, especially for the VP shunt procedure. However, such hemorrhages are rarely large, rarely the cause of neurological deterioration, and rarely require surgical removal. Preoperative anti-platelet medication appears to affect EVD-related hemorrhage development.

Delayed germinal matrix hemorrhage induced by ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion for congenital hydrocephalus

Germinal matrix hemorrhages (GMHs) are typically seen in preterm neonates during the first 4 days of life. The authors encountered 2 children with late-onset GMH subsequent to ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt insertion for congenital hydrocephalus. Both children were delivered at full term with normal body weight, although they were compromised with the preceding hypoxic events prior to shunt insertion. The first case involved a female infant with severe craniofacial deformities. Because of aspiration pneumonia related to the comorbid upper airway stenosis, endotracheal intubation with intermittent mechanical ventilation was necessary. The associated congenital hydrocephalus was treated with VP shunt insertion when she was 35 days of age, and GMH was confirmed 1 week after shunt placement. During a period of conservative observation, the hemorrhage resolved without any neurological deterioration. The second case involved a male infant with a large intraparenchymal cyst on the left parietal portion. He was intubated for pneumonia at 1 month of age. He had associated congenital hydrocephalus that was progressive, and he was treated with VP shunting at 69 days of age, after his pneumonia had resolved. Postoperative GMH was confirmed, although hydrocephalus was well controlled by VP shunt insertion. Observed conservatively, he fared well and the GMH resolved. These 2 cases had unique features in common; both had congenital anomalies in the CNS and respiratory problems before shunting. The hypoxic insults on the residual germinal matrix layer and sudden decrease in CSF pressure may relate to the occurrence of these late-onset GMHs.

Iatrogenic Vascular Complications Associated With External Ventricular Drain Placement: A Report of 8 Cases and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND:

Placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD) is a commonly performed and often lifesaving procedure. Although hemorrhage is one of the commonest complications associated with the procedure, ventricular catheter–induced vascular injury is rarely reported.

OBJECTIVE:

To describe 9 cases of EVD-related vascular trauma: 7 arteriovenous fistulas and 2 traumatic aneurysms.

METHODS:

During a 3-year period, 299 patients had EVDs placed. Eight patients (2.75%), 3 male and 5 female (mean age, 48 ± 20 years), developed vascular lesions associated with EVDs. Six patients developed arteriovenous fistulas and 2 patients developed a traumatic aneurysm. The arterial feeders of 5 superficial draining fistulas arose from the middle meningeal artery, and the arterial feeder of a deep-draining fistula originated from a lenticulostriate artery. One traumatic aneurysm arose from a distal branch of the anterior cerebral artery, and the second from a branch of the superficial temporal artery. Four of the superficial fistulas were treated with transarterial embolization.

RESULTS:

Two superficial fistulas and the deep-draining fistula resolved spontaneously after EVD removal. The intracranial aneurysm was embolized with Onyx18, and the superficial temporal artery aneurysm was managed conservatively. There were no hemorrhages associated with any of these vascular lesions and no complications after treatment.

CONCLUSION:

Our data suggest that iatrogenic vascular trauma associated with EVD insertions (2.75%) may be more common than is currently appreciated. Endovascular treatment is effective and may be necessary when these lesions do not resolve spontaneously.

Delayed intracerebral hemorrhage secondary to ventriculoperitoneal shunt: two case reports and a literature review

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt has become a popular operation to achieve cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion, but is associated with many complications. Postoperative delayed intracerebral hemorrhage is a kind of rare but severe event, which has not thus far been reported in retrospective case analyses. Here we present two cases of delayed intracerebral hemorrhage, along the path of the ventricular catheter, which occurred on postoperative days 3 and 5. We also provide a literature review regarding this rare complication.

Cerebral venous thrombosis complicated by hemorrhagic infarction secondary to ventriculoperitoneal shunting

While a delayed intracerebral hemorrhage at the site of a ventricular catheter has occasionally been reported in literature, a delayed hemorrhage caused by venous infarction secondary to ventriculoperitoneal shunting has not been previously reported. In the present case, a 68-year-old woman underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunting through a frontal burr hole, and developed a hemorrhagic transformation of venous infarction on the second postoperative day. This massive venous infarction was caused by bipolar coagulation and occlusion of a large paramedian cortical vein in association with atresia of the rostral superior sagittal sinus. Thus, to eliminate the risk of postoperative venous infarction, technical precautions to avoid damaging surface vessels in a burr hole are required under loupe magnification in ventriculoperitoneal shunting.

Intracerebral hemorrhage secondary to ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion--four case reports

Four patients presented with intracerebral hemorrhage secondary to ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt insertion. VP shunt insertion was performed for idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (Case 1), hydrocephalus after cerebellar hemorrhage (Case 2), and subarachnoid hemorrhage followed by meningitis (Cases 3 and 4). Cerebral hemorrhage was confirmed 4 hours (Case 1), 2 days (Case 2), 7 days (Case 3), and 13 days (Case 4) after the operation. Cases 1 and 2 required intraoperative hemostasis for bleeding from the cortical vein. The 7 previous and our 4 patients were divided according to early (within 2 days after shunt placement, n = 6, Group 1) and delayed (5-13 days post-shunting, n = 5, Group 2) hemorrhage. Bleeding was attributable to venous occlusion due to intraoperative manipulation in Group 1, and to the vulnerability of brain tissue induced by a primary brain disease in Group 2.