Abdominal cerebrospinal fl uid pseudocysts in patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts: 30 years of experience*

Aim: We evaluated the treatment outcome of the patients having cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst following ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. Materials and Methods: During the period of 1975 to 2005, 392 hydrocephalic patients underwent ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, of these eight developed abdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst. The medical records regarding the etiology of hydrocephalus, age of shunting, infectious screening, therapy and follow up were evaluated. Results: Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was normal in all except in 4 patients who showed high level of C-reactive protein. One patient had significant abdominal symptoms as pain, vomiting and diarrhea. All were treated by cyst excision, exteriorization of shunt and antibiotic treatment. A new shunt was placed once cerebrospinal fluid cultures were negative. Conclusions: cyst excision, appropriate antibiotic therapy followed by new shunt placement once cerebrospinal fluid cultures are negative constitutes the required treatment for these patients with abdominal pseudocyst.