Delayed Abdominal Pseudocyst after Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Surgery: A Case Report

Corresponding author: Yu Sam Won Department of Neurosurgery, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 29 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03181, Republic of Korea Tel: +82-2-2001-2450 Fax: +82-2-2001-2157 E-mail: yusam.won@samsung.com A 59-year-old man, who had a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) operation for the treatment of hydrocephalus due to cysticercosis 26 years prior, visited our hospital with increasing abdominal distention. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed well enhanced demarcated fluid collection about 20×18 cm around the distal catheter tip. We performed exploratory laparoscopy and inserted a drainage catheter into the abdominal cyst. All cyst fluid analyses and cultures were negative. Over the course of the next eight weeks, abdominal CT demonstrated that the pseudocyst decreased. Following removal of the drainage catheter, abdominal CT showed that the pseudocyst increased again. A drainage catheter was re-inserted and Taurolin (Taurolidine) solution irrigation was performed for 3 months. Upon the completion of this 3 months, the patient complained of abdominal distension and abdominal CT found both that the pseudocyst was increased and doubted cystic infection. Eventually, an exploratory laparotomy and cyst resection were performed. Although the occurrence of pseudocyst following VPS surgery is a rare complication, it can cause additional complications such as obstruction and infection. If a patient has gastrointestinal symptoms, pseudocyst should be considered as one of the complications of VPS surgery.