[Reversible porencephalic cyst related to shunt dysfunction].

BACKGROUND

The surgical treatment of hydrocephalus is one of the most commonly procedures of modern pediatric neurosurgical practice, and cerebrospinal fluid shunts are the main means of treatment of hydrocephalus, being independent of site of obstruction and ventricular shunt complications are frequent, especially in children. The most common complications are shunt obstructions, mechanical disconnections, overdrainage and infection.

METHODS

A 7.5-year-old girl with ventriculoperitoneal shunt presented with intermittent headache. A head computed tomography scan revealed a cyst located in right temporal lobe. After ventriculoperitoneal shunt revision, a gradual resolution of the cyst was demonstrated on computed tomography.

CONCLUSIONS

Cerebrospinal fluid porencephaly is a rare postoperative complication of a ventricular shunt that results from dysfunction of the distal catheter, especially in children with taut ventricles.