Ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter tract glioblastoma multiform concomitant to infection

Abstract

Given the high rate of hardware infection seen due to ventriculoperitoneal shunts, radiographic changes near the shunt system are most often concerning for infectious etiology. We present a patient who developed an intracranial neoplasm along the proximal shunt cather that was initially radiographically diagnosed as an infarct. Further imaging helped characterize the hypodensity seen on CT as a neoplasm and she underwent resection. This case demonstrates the need to maintain a wide-open differential diagnosis until all diagnostic tests are completed. Keywords: Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS), Shunt infection, Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), Abscess