Intermittent entrapment of choroid plexus in ventricular catheter

Abstract

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement remains the primary treatment option for most cases of pediatric hydrocephalus. However, these devices have a relatively high complication with malfunction commonly attributed to proximal catheter occlusion. Factors augmenting shunt malfunction include infection, valve failure, proximal or distal catheter obstruction, distal catheter migration, shunt disconnection. In this case report, we describe the perioperative course of a neonate with communicating hydrocephalus who required a VP shunt, with real time sonographic documentation of the transient occlusion of the ventricular catheter tip by choroid plexus immediately after surgery. Keywords: Hydrocephalus, Proximal occlusion, Ventriculoperitoneal shunt, Choroid plexus