What are the major complications of VP shunt?

What are the major complications of VP shunt?

VP shunt complications include peritonitis, inguinal hernia, perforation of abdominal organs, intestinal obstruction, volvulus, and CSF ascites. Ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt complications include septicemia, shunt embolus, endocarditis, and pulmonary hypertension.

Can a VP shunt cause abdominal pain?

Ventriculoperitoneal shunting is mainstay treatment of non-obstructive hydrocephalus which deviates nature pathway of CSF and drains into abdominal cavity. The tip of distal catheter is usually placed in right lower quadrant. There are very rare reports of abdominal and pelvic pain directly induced by a VP shunt.

What are the 2 most serious complications of children who have VP shunts?

Although obstruction and infection are the most common causes of shunt malfunction, other complications can occur as well, including bowel perforation, pseudocyst formation, and over-draining, which can lead to subdural hematoma formation.

What are the signs of a VP shunt malfunction?

Shunt Malfunction Signs

• Headaches.
• Vomiting.
• Lethargy (sleepiness)
• Irritability.
• Swelling or redness along the shunt tract.
• Decreased school performance.
• Periods of confusion.
• Seizures.

Can a VP shunt drain too much?

Over-drainage: When the shunt allows cerebral fluid to drain from the brain’s ventricles more quickly than it is produced, the ventricles can collapse, tearing blood vessels and causing bleeding in the brain or blood clot, marked by severe headache, nausea, vomiting, seizure and other symptoms.

How do I know if my shunt is infected?

The symptoms of a shunt infection may include:

1. redness and tenderness along the line of the shunt.
2. a high temperature.
3. headache.
4. vomiting.
5. neck stiffness.
6. tummy pain if the shunt drains into your tummy.
7. irritability or sleepiness in babies.

Can a VP shunt cause abdominal bloating?

When the rate at which the CSF enters the cavity is higher than its capacity to absorb it is overwhelmed, ascitis can occur, with abdominal distension and increase in intraperitoneal pressure. A number of abdominal complications have been reported following the VP shunt placement.

What are the symptoms of VP shunt malfunction?

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center provides the following warning signs of shunt malfunction:

• Headaches.
• Vomiting.
• Lethargy (sleepiness)
• Irritability.
• Swelling or redness along the shunt tract.
• Decreased school performance.
• Periods of confusion.
• Seizures.

How do you check if VP shunt is working in adults?

In many cases, diagnostic imaging, such as CT scans or X-rays, is performed to rule in or rule out shunt dysfunction. These imaging tests expose patients to radiation, and many times these tests indicate that the shunt is in fact working properly.

How do I know if my VP shunt is infected?