Ventriculoperitoneal shunt blockage by hydatid cyst

Abstract

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is one of the commonest procedures done in neurosurgical practice throughout the world. One of the commonest problems after putting the VP shunt is the shunt obstruction, which can be due to varied causes. Shunt obstruction secondary to the parasitic infections is rarely seen. We are presenting a 15-year-old child, a case of operated cerebral hydatid cyst with hydrocephalus. She presented with shunt malfunction after 1 year of surgical excision of the hydatid cyst. Revision of the VP shunt was done and peroperatively, it was found that the shunt tubing was obstructed due to small hydatid cysts. This is the first reported case of VP shunt obstruction by hydatid cyst.

Keywords

• hydatid
• hydrocephalus
• shunt