Empyema due to ventriculopleural shunt

Current understanding of infection of the ventricles and its complications

INTRODUCTION

Ventriculitis, characterized by inflammation of the ventricles in the brain, frequently occurs as a complication of neurosurgical interventions such as the insertion of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts or external ventricular drains. It can also present as a community-acquired pathology, broadening its clinical significance and complicating diagnosis and treatment. This condition presents significant challenges, primarily due to its association with various medical devices and the predisposing conditions of patients which enhance infection risks.

AREAS COVERED

The review comprehensively explores the etiology, risk factors, diagnostic methodologies, and treatment options for ventriculitis. A thorough literature search was conducted, focusing on recent studies, meta-analyses, and clinical reports that discuss the incidence rates, the effectiveness of different management strategies, and the impact of device-related and community-acquired infections. Particular attention is given to the role of CSF drains and shunts, biofilms, and the prophylactic measures employed in clinical settings to mitigate infection risks.

EXPERT OPINION

Despite advances in medical technology and infection control protocols, ventriculitis remains a severe complication in both neurosurgical and community settings. The review highlights the need for continued research into innovative diagnostic tools and more effective infection control strategies.

Ventriculoatrial and ventriculopleural shunts as second-line surgical treatment have equivalent revision, infection, and survival rates in paediatric hydrocephalus

PURPOSE

Ventriculoatrial (VA) and ventriculopleural (VPL) shunts are used as alternatives when CSF diversion to the peritoneal compartment with a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is not possible. The objective of this study is to compare directly the shunt survival and complications for both procedures in this setting in children.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 54 consecutive patients who underwent VA (36) or VPL (18) shunt insertion between January 2002 and December 2017 was conducted.

RESULTS

The overall mean follow-up was 4.1 (SD 4.3) years, 2.8 (SD 4.1) for VPL and 4.7 (SD 4.4) for VA shunts, respectively (p = 0.11). Twenty-four (66.7%) patients in the VA group and 9 (50.0%) in the VPL group underwent shunt revision (p = 0.236); mean number of revisions was 2.2 (SD 3.0) and 0.94 (SD 1.4) in the VA and VPL groups (p = 0.079). Median time to failure was 8.5 (IQr 78, range 0-176) months for VA and 5.50 (IQr 36, range 0-60) for VPL shunts (log rank (Mantel-Cox) 0.832). Shunt survival at 3, 6, 12 and 30 months was 60.6, 51.5, 36.4 and 27.3%, respectively, for VA and 56.3, 43.8, 37.5 and 37.5% for VPL shunts (log rank (Mantel-Cox) test value 0.727). The infection rate was 13.8% for VA and 5.6% for VPL shunts (p = 0.358). Four patients with VPL shunts (22.2%) developed pleural effusions. Fourteen deaths (25.9%) were recorded during follow-up, 8 (22.2%) in the VA and 6 (33.3%) in the VPL group (p = 0.380); two of the deaths in the VA group were shunt-related.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that the outcomes of VA and VPL shunts, when used as second-line surgical treatment in paediatric hydrocephalus, were similar, as were the revision, infection and survival rates. The shorter longevity of these shunts compared with the general shunted population may reflect the complex nature of these children.

Shunt-Bronchial Fistula with Coughing Up and Swallowing of Cerebrospinal Fluid: Rare Complication of Ventriculopleural Shunt

BACKGROUND

Erosion of the distal catheter into lung parenchyma is an extremely rare complication of ventriculopleural shunt placement.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We report a 51-year-old woman with a history of parasagittal meningioma invading the sagittal sinus who presented with recurrent pneumonia after placement of a ventriculopleural shunt. A nuclear study revealed accumulation of radiotracer material sequentially in the right hemithorax, trachea, mainstem bronchi, stomach, and bowel. The ventriculopleural shunt had eroded into the patient's lung parenchyma, with the effect of cerebrospinal fluid draining into the respiratory system and then being coughed up and swallowed into the gastrointestinal system.

CONCLUSION

Surgeons should be aware of the potential complication of a ventriculopleural shunt eroding through the lung parenchyma to cause a shunt-bronchial fistula with persistent coughing and recurrent pneumonias. Shuntogram nuclear imaging may be useful in the diagnosis of the complication.

From the heart to the bladder-particularities of ventricular shunt topography and the current status of cerebrospinal fluid diversion sites

Hydrocephalus represents the pathological elevation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels as a consequence of various embryological or acquired defects. Although the classic method of treatment is by means of diverting the CSF from the ventricular system towards the peritoneum, there are other sites of diversion that have proven their efficiency through time, in the context of complications related to the more common option of intraperitoneal insertion. The aim of the review is to assess and organize a database of all the types of shunt locations from the oldest shunt attempts until present, using Pubmed and Medline and to underline the particularities related to technique, indications, complications and associated epidemiological background. Current literature reveals up to 36 sites of diversion of CSF with a diverse topography varying from cephalic regions such as venous sinuses or mastoid bone, thoracic elements such as the heart or the pleura and abdominopelvic segments such as the peritoneum or the urinary bladder. Several atypical locations were studied such as the fallopian and intestinal shunts. Although ventriculoperitoneal and ventriculoatrial shunts are the most commonly used shunts today, there are some systems such as the ventriculosinusal and ventriculolymphatic shunts that prove to be equally as efficient. The successful treatment of hydrocephalus requires a complete comprehension of the indications and therapeutic options and a reliable evaluation of the risks and possible complications. The profile of cerebral ventricular shunts is highly dynamic and the spectrum of cerebrospinal fluid diversion offers multiple solutions in the benefit of the patient.

Diagnosis and Management of Pleural Transudates

Various clinical trials have been published on the optimal clinical management of patients with pleural exudates, particularly those caused by malignant tumors, while little information is available on the diagnosis and treatment of pleural transudates. The etiology of pleural transudates is wide and heterogeneous, and they can be caused by rare diseases, sometimes constituting a diagnostic challenge. Analysis of the pleural fluid can be a useful procedure for establishing diagnosis. Treatment should target not only the underlying disease, but also management of the pleural effusion itself. In cases refractory to medical treatment, invasive procedures will be necessary, for example therapeutic thoracentesis, pleurodesis with talc, or insertion of an indwelling pleural catheter. Little evidence is currently available and no firm recommendations have been made to establish when to perform an invasive procedure, or to determine the safest, most efficient approach in each case. This article aims to describe the spectrum of diseases that cause pleural transudate, to review the diagnostic contribution of pleural fluid analysis, and to highlight the lack of evidence on the efficacy of invasive procedures in the management and control of pleural effusion in these patients.

Cardiac tamponade and heart failure secondary to ventriculo-pleural shunt malfunction: a rare presentation

We report an unusual case of a patient with a ventriculo-pleural shunt presenting with signs and symptoms of heart failure due to massive pericardial effusion. Imaging revealed the distal shunt catheter end within the middle mediastinum to have migrated from the pleural space. The patient underwent a shunt revision procedure resulting in complete resolution of the presenting pathology. We intend to draw the reader's attention to this rare presentation of ventriculo-pleural shunt malfunction.

Pleural effusions of extravascular origin

Most pleural effusions are caused by hydrostatic and oncotic pressure imbalance, inflammation or infection, or abnormalities in lymphatic drainage. A select number of effusions are caused by fluid of extravascular origin. Some of these effusions result from complications of treatment, whereas others are a ramification of the underlying disease. The incidence, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, chest radiographic manifestations, pleural fluid analysis, diagnosis, and management are discussed.

[Ventriculopleural shunt to treat hydrocephalus]

INTRODUCTION

Ventriculoatrial and ventriculopleural shunts (VPS) are alternatives to ventriculoperitoneal shunts for draining cerebrospinal fluid from patients with hydrocephalus. VPS has seldom been used because of the risk of respiratory insufficiency due to pneumothorax or pleural effusion. However, valves are currently available with anti-siphon devices for use with standard shunting systems to prevent the development of pleural effusion. The aim of this study was to analyze outcome after VPS in eight patients in whom we used the new valves for avoiding overdrainage of cerebrospinal fluid.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Nine VPS procedures were performed in eight hydrocephalic patients between 1988 and 2000. We used differential pressure valves in eight procedures and a flow regulator valve in one. The externally adjustable Sophy valve was used in six cases. The indication for VPS was peritoneal adhesions in four cases, persistent ascites in two, ventriculoatrial valve obstruction in one, and infection of the peritoneal shunt (peritonitis) in one. The ninth case involved replacement of a previously obstructed valve.

RESULTS

After a follow-up period of 22 months all shunts were functioning well and the only patient with symptoms of hydrocephalus was the one who required valve replacement at six months. No surgical morbidity or mortality was observed, and only one patient developed transitory signs of excessive cerebrospinal fluid drainage, which was corrected by regulating the magnetic valve gradient. The death of one patient 36 months after surgery was unrelated to pleural drainage.

CONCLUSIONS

Valves newly designed to prevent overdrainage of cerebrospinal fluid give satisfactory results, such that VPS should be considered as an alternative to peritoneal drainage.

Cerebrospinal fluid galactorrhea after ventriculopleural shunting: case report

A complication of ventriculopleural shunting in which the pleural end of the catheter retracted out of the pleural cavity is described. Continued drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid into the subcutaneous and breast tissue led to the development of breast enlargement and drainage via the nipple. The mechanism of production and guidelines to avoid this complication are discussed, and a brief review of ventriculopleural shunting complications is presented.