A Very Rare Cause of VP Shunt Dysfunction Following Contrast Injection into the Peritoneal Catheter during an Intra- Abdominal Procedure: A Case Report

Authors

  • Ahmed Najjar. MBBS, FRCSC Department of General and Specialised Surgery, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Madinah/Consultant neurosurgeon, Department of Surgery, KFSHRC-Madinah
  • Mustafa S Alhasan. MBBS, DABR Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Madinah
  • Obai Raffah Al-Rayan Medical Colleges, College of Medicine. Madinah/ KFSHRC, Rotating student, Department of Surgery, KFSHRC-Madinah

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.6164

Abstract

Background:

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are widely used for lifelong management of hydrocephalus. While early and late causes of VP shunt dysfunction are well described, very late mechanical failures due to unusual mechanisms remain rare.

Case Presentation:

We report a 24-year-old female with congenital hydrocephalus and myelomeningocele who underwent VP shunt insertion at birth. Following multiple complex urologic procedures, she developed VP shunt dysfunction secondary to inadvertent contrast injection into the distal peritoneal catheter, resulting in catheter rupture and subcutaneous leakage. She was successfully managed with shunt externalization, targeted antimicrobial therapy, and delayed VP shunt reinsertion.

Conclusion:

This case highlights a rare and preventable mechanism of very late VP shunt dysfunction related to radiologic contrast administration. Awareness of VP shunt anatomy and multidisciplinary coordination are essential when managing shunt-dependent patients undergoing complex urologic interventions.

(A) Chest X-ray and (B) pelvic X-ray demonstrating contrast opacification of the ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt catheter along its expected course. The shunt system is visualized on both images without radiographic evidence of disconnection on the shunt series

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Published

2026-05-31

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 5 (2026)

Section

General Radiology

License

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