Rare sequelae following ventriculoatrial shunt: Case report and review of literature

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 Shunt Under Locoregional Anesthesia: A Technical Note

BACKGROUND

Ventriculoatrial shunt is routinely performed under general anesthesia and is used to treat various kinds of hydrocephalus. Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus patients are generally elderly and can have high comorbidities; in such patients, avoiding general anesthesia and limiting opioid administration could be beneficial. We started to perform ventriculoatrial shunt under locoregional anesthesia, in order to make this procedure more truly "minimally invasive".

METHODS

Demographic data, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and vital signs, Ramsay sedation scale, and procedural duration were collected. All procedures were performed combining sedation with cervical plexus and scalp block. After internal jugular vein cannulation, a catheter was inserted and connected with a programmable valve and then with the ventricular catheter. Outcome was assessed by the Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Grading Scale and complications were recorded at 3-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Ten consecutive patients were enrolled; the mean age was 74 years, 8 were male, ASA score median value was 3. Opioids were administered only in 4 patients, in 6 patients the value of Ramsay scale was 5. The average duration of surgery was 59.5 minutes. No procedure was converted to general anesthesia.

CONCLUSIONS

Our preliminary experience with ventriculoatrial shunt under locoregional anesthesia demonstrates that this technique is feasible, is not associated with an increase in operating times or complications, can avoid general anesthesia, and helps to limit opioid administration in the elderly. It can therefore represent a valid option in order to improve treatment quality in these complex patients.

Endovascular retrieval of a broken distal ventriculoatrial shunt catheter within the heart: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Displacement of a distal catheter of a ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt is a rare complication and can lead to a challenging extraction requiring endovascular retrieval of the distal catheter.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors describe a patient in whom the distal catheter of the VA shunt had become displaced and traveled through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricular outflow tract.

LESSONS

In this case report, the authors present a multidisciplinary approach to retrieving a displaced distal catheter from a VA shunt.

Ventriculoatrial Shunts: Review of Technical Aspects and Complications

Diversion of cerebrospinal fluid is required in many neurosurgical conditions. When a standard ventriculoperitoneal shunt and endoscopic third ventriculostomy are not appropriate options, placement of a ventriculoatrial shunt is a safe, relatively familiar second-line shunting procedure. Herein we reviewed the technical aspects of ventriculoatrial shunt placement using an illustrative case. We focused on the different modalities for inserting and confirming the location of the distal catheter tip. We discussed how to overcome typical difficulties and significant concerns, such as cardiac arrhythmias and venous thrombosis. In addition, we reviewed the current literature for the different complications associated with ventriculoatrial shunt placement.

Simple Removal of Ventriculoatrial Shunt and Simultaneous Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Revision: Short Communication

Background  Ventriculoatrial shunt (VAS) is a common alternative treatment option for hydrocephalus in patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) failure. Most previous reports on VAS discuss the atrial-related complications and none focus on simple removal (i.e., without specialized equipment). We report a case of simple VAS removal and simultaneous VPS revision, with no obvious shunt-related cardiac complications.

Case presentation  The patient was an 87-year-old female who had received a VAS for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus 6 years prior. She developed a right thalamic hemorrhage with intraventricular hemorrhage and was admitted to our hospital. She had a recurrence of the hydrocephalus and was diagnosed with shunt malfunction, due to simple obstruction without obvious shunt-related cardiac complications. The VAS was simply and safely removed, and a VPS was simultaneously placed, as per the usual procedure in our institution. She remains well with no evidence of complications on postoperative day 10.

Discussion  Since VAS is mostly used in pediatric cases that are difficult to treat with VPS, the duration of time elapsed allows VAS catheters to form strong adhesions with the surrounding cardiac tissue. Therefore, the simple removal of VAS is usually not straightforward.

Conclusion  If the follow-up period is short and there are no specific cardiac complications at the time of replacement, VAS can be safely removed and VPS can be spontaneously placed, without any specialized surgical techniques or equipment.

Minimally invasive procedure for removal of infected ventriculoatrial shunts

BACKGROUND

Ventriculoatrial shunts were one of the most common treatments of hydrocephalus in pediatric and adult patients up to about 40 years ago. Thereafter, due to the widespread recognition of the severe cardiac and renal complications associated with ventriculoatrial shunts, they are almost exclusively implanted when other techniques fail. However, late infection or atrial thrombi of previously implanted shunts require removal of the atrial catheter several decades after implantation. Techniques derived from management of central venous access catheters can avoid cardiothoracic surgery in such instances.

METHODS

We retrospectively investigated all the patients requiring removal of a VA shunt for complications treated in the last 5 years in our institution.

RESULTS

We identified two patients that were implanted 28 and 40 years earlier. Both developed endocarditis with a large atrial thrombus and were successfully treated endovascularly. The successful percutaneous removal was achieved by applying, for the first time in this setting, the endoluminal dilation technique as proposed by Hong. After ventriculoatrial shunt removal and its substitution with an external drainage, both patients where successfully weaned from the need for a shunt and their infection resolved.

CONCLUSION

Patients carrying a ventriculoatrial shunt are now rarely seen and awareness of long-term ventriculoatrial shunt complications is decreasing. However, these complications must be recognized and treated by shunt removal. Endovascular techniques are appropriate even in the presence of overt endocarditis, atrial thrombi, and tight adherence to the endocardial wall. Moreover, weaning from shunt dependence is possible even decades after shunting.

Infective endocarditis as a complication of longstanding ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt: the importance of suspicion and early investigation in patients with VA shunt and pyrexia of unknown origin

Ventriculoatrial (VA) shunts are a method of cerebrospinal fluid diversion, which nowadays are infrequently seen in medical practice. Infective endocarditis (IE) can occur as rare complications of VA shunts, through the introduction of a foreign body close to the tricuspid valve. We report a case of infective endocarditis, that is, in a patient with VA shunt for congenital hydrocephalus. We present the case to highlight the importance of early investigation for IE in patients with fever of unknown origin and shunt in situ, as rapid deterioration can occur and be fatal. We also discuss past experience reported in the literature on the role of cardiothoracic intervention. Prompt diagnosis and early cardiothoracic referral for surgery are crucial, there may only be a narrow window of opportunity for intervention before patients develop fulminant sepsis.

Management of Hydrocephalus in Children: Anatomic Imaging Appearances of CSF Shunts and Their Complications

OBJECTIVE. This article addresses the management of hydrocephalus and the CSF shunts used to treat this entity. CONCLUSION. CSF shunts have a high failure rate. Imaging plays a pivotal role in assessing CSF shunt failure and determining the need for surgical revision. An in-depth knowledge of CSF shunt components, their failure modes, and the corresponding findings on anatomic imaging studies is necessary to ensure timely diagnosis and prevent permanent neurologic damage.

Endovascular Retrieval of Detached Ventriculoatrial Shunt into Pulmonary Artery in Pediatric Patient: Case Report

The management of hydrocephalus represents a neurosurgical challenge. Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are usually the treatment of choice for hydrocephalus. However, when VP shunt is not an option, ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt becomes a second choice. VA shunts have special complications such as postoperative neck hematomas, shunt nephritis, and migration of the distal segment. There are two main techniques for the retrieval of migrated VA shunt: either by retrieval of the broken segment by thoracotomy, which is highly invasive, or by transvenous approach. A 9-year-old boy presented with severe cerebral palsy, who was VP shunt dependent since birth. The patient developed generalized cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ascites with peritonitis. The shunt was externalized and infection was treated with intravenous antibiotics. Two weeks later, and due to previous multiple abdominal procedures, it was decided to go for VA shunt and the procedure went well without complications. One month later, the patient presented to emergency department with neck swelling; shunt x-ray showed shunt breakage at clavicular level and the tip of the shunt was dislodged into the pulmonary artery. Under general anesthesia and after getting informed consent, through femoral vein, VA shunt was retrieved successfully without complications and new VP shunt was inserted. Migration of the distal segment of a broken atrial catheter is rare, but has a significant complication and is major cause of mortality. Endovascular retrieval of migrated shunts is less invasive, is feasible, and prevents further complications. There has been similar case in the adult English literature; however, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case in the English literature of a successful endovascular retrieval of migrated dislodged VA shunt in pediatrics.