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Journal of Pediatric Neurology 2020; 18(01): 049-052
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1679888
Case Report
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Constipation as a Rare Cause of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Dysfunction: A Case Report

Mesut Mete
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Celal Bayar University School of Medicine, Manisa, Turkey
,
Mehmet Selçuki
2   Department of Neurosurgery, Private Practice, Turkey
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

07 December 2018

16 January 2019

Publication Date:
20 February 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) insertion is a common neurosurgical procedure for the treatment of hydrocephalus. Constipation can play an important role in shunt failure either by mechanically blocking drainage from the peritoneal end of the VPS catheter or by increasing intra-abdominal pressure. The present report describes a 2-year-old boy with shunt-dependent hydrocephalus who presented with signs of shunt dysfunction. Medical history with detailed physical examination determined the constipation. Before shunt revision, a pediatric fleet enema was administered to possibly relieve the constipation and he had good evacuation of the bowel contents. Following the enema, his continuous crying resolved and ultimately disappeared within a few hours. Brain computed tomography scans performed 4 days later showed a reduction in ventricular size.

Keywords

constipation - hydrocephalus - ventriculoperitoneal shunt
 

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