Spontaneous Colonic Migration of a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Catheter.

Am J Case RepNov 5, 2026 (epub)
Case ReportNeurosurgeryRadiology (Diagnostic)Infectious Diseases

Che-Lun Hsu, Chuan-Ru Li, Shao-Chi Fang et al.

✦ AI-curated · Sources linked

Case in brief

A 63-year-old man developed fever, somnolence, and elevated inflammatory markers 2.5 years after ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. Brain CT and contrast-enhanced MRI showed progressive hydrocephalus and peri-catheter cerebral edema. Abdominal CT then demonstrated distal catheter perforation into the colon; retrospective imaging did not suggest iatrogenic injury. Despite negative cerebrospinal fluid and blood cultures, the anatomical continuity and imaging findings supported retrograde CNS infection. Shunt externalization and removal, external ventricular drainage, and broad-spectrum antibiotics covering enteric flora were followed by resolution of neurological symptoms without long-term sequelae.

What made this case unusual

Colonic catheter perforation presented as retrograde CNS infection without abdominal symptoms or peritonitis, and cultures remained negative.

Diagnostic / clinical pearl

In a patient with a VP shunt and unexplained CNS infection or peri-catheter abnormalities, consider occult distal catheter migration even when abdominal manifestations and positive cultures are absent; correlate neuroimaging with abdominal imaging.

Source

PubMed · PMID 42984169

Published in Am J Case Rep. This summary was written by xxcode from the publication's abstract and metadata. It is not peer reviewed and is not a substitute for the original article. For clinical decisions, review the original publication.

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