An Unusual But Possible Complication After Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy

BACKGROUND: We present an unusual but possible complication after ETV for the treatment of acute hydrocephalus due to malfunction of a previously implanted V-P shunt. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 12-year-old male patient was urgently operated upon by means of an endoscopic third-ventriculostomy and the positioning of a temporary external ventricular catheter because of the malfunction of a previously implanted V-P shunt; immediately after the operation, the tip of the external catheter caused an obstruction of the ostomy, which was resolved with the withdrawn of catheter for circa 1 cm, left closed and ultimately removed after 4 days. The patient did not present any further symptom and remained shunt-free at the last 2-year follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS: One should consider such occurrence in cases of early ETV failure when a ventricular catheter is left in situ, even though temporarily.

Automated summary

This case describes a 12-year-old male patient who underwent an endoscopic third-ventriculostomy due to a malfunctioning V-P shunt, which resulted in an obstruction caused by the external ventricular catheter tip post-surgery. The catheter was shortened and ultimately removed after 4 days, with the patient remaining symptom-free and shunt-free during a 2-year follow-up.