Ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter tract glioblastoma multiform concomitant to infection

Given the high rate of hardware infection seen due to ventriculoperitoneal shunts, radiographic changes near the shunt system are most often concerning for infectious etiology. We present a patient who developed an intracranial neoplasm along the proximal shunt cather that was initially radiographic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Interdisciplinary neurosurgery : Advanced techniques and case management 2019-03, Vol.15, p.27-29
Main Authors: Amarante, Matthew, Entezami, Pouya, Umrau, Kavita, Yamamoto, Junichi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abscess
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)
Shunt infection
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS)
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Summary:Given the high rate of hardware infection seen due to ventriculoperitoneal shunts, radiographic changes near the shunt system are most often concerning for infectious etiology. We present a patient who developed an intracranial neoplasm along the proximal shunt cather that was initially radiographically diagnosed as an infarct. Further imaging helped characterize the hypodensity seen on CT as a neoplasm and she underwent resection. This case demonstrates the need to maintain a wide-open differential diagnosis until all diagnostic tests are completed. •While VPS catheter tract infections and abscesses are common, neoplastic formation along implanted hardware is another possibility.•Full radiographic workup including MRI and potentially spectroscopy should be performed expeditiously in future similar cases.•For intracranial lesions suspected of being abscess that are treated with antibiotics, repeat imaging to monitor progression.
ISSN:2214-7519
2214-7519
DOI:10.1016/j.inat.2018.10.003