Pleural cerebrospinal fluid shunting causing trapped lung: A respiratory physician's approach to management and prevention

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting into the pleural space can cause complications such as long-standing pleural effusions and trapped lung. These complications can be difficult to manage due to the propensity of effusions to recur, and the irreversible nature of trapped lung. This report describes t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Respiratory medicine case reports 2018-01, Vol.25, p.303-305
Main Authors: Dalphy, Alexander, Burkett, Andrew
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case Report
Case reports
Cerebrospinal fluid shunts
Decortication
Pleural effusion
Thoracentesis
Trapped lung
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Summary:Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting into the pleural space can cause complications such as long-standing pleural effusions and trapped lung. These complications can be difficult to manage due to the propensity of effusions to recur, and the irreversible nature of trapped lung. This report describes the case of a woman with a pleural CSF shunt who developed chronic pleural effusions and trapped lung over two years, following a 24-year period without any respiratory shunt complications. Management options for this patient included thoracentesis, lung decortication, insertion of an indwelling pleural catheter, and shunt revision. Advocating for pleural shunt revision when symptomatic or increasingly large pleural effusions occur may prevent the development of trapped lung.
ISSN:2213-0071
2213-0071
DOI:10.1016/j.rmcr.2018.10.003