Abstract
Spontaneous intraventricular haemorrhage with hydrocephalus frequently requires neurosurgical intervention, including ventriculoperitoneal shunting. We describe a periventricular cyst following the placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in a 67-year-old female patient. The patient was admitted for rehabilitation after a spontaneous left basal ganglia and diffuse intraventricular haemorrhage with hydrocephalus. Initial management included an extraventricular drain, followed by a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. On Day 5 of rehabilitation, the patient was urgently reviewed for reduced level of consciousness. A cerebrospinal fluid cyst was identified around the shunt catheter, with subacute haemorrhage within the cyst. The patient underwent a successful shunt revision, with rapid improvement in consciousness and resolution of the cyst. This case highlights the importance of pericatheter cyst as a differential diagnosis in patients with altered neurological status following ventriculoperitoneal shunting. Early detection and surgical revision can lead to rapid resolution of symptoms and a favourable prognosis.
Introduction
Ventriculoperitoneal shunting is commonly performed as a treatment for hydrocephalus, serving to divert excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the peritoneal cavity. Although effective, complications are not uncommon, with shunt revision rates in the literature being reported at 20–30% [1, 2]. Proximal shunt obstruction, which can cause recurrent hydrocephalus and raised intracranial pressure, is among the most common complications requiring revision surgery [2]. Pericatheter cyst formation is a rare complication of proximal shunt failure, wherein a localized collection of CSF is detected in close proximity to the catheter. This can present with focal neurological symptoms as well as nausea, headache and altered consciousness [3]. We report on a case of pericatheter cyst formation in a 67 year old woman, with a favourable outcome with revision surgery.
Case presentation
A 67 year-old woman was admitted to our service from the neurosurgical department for rehabilitation after a spontaneous left basal ganglia haemorrhage and diffuse intraventricular haemorrhage with hydrocephalus. She had been initially found unresponsive at home with coffee ground vomitus and incontinence of urine. An urgent computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain showed a large intracranial haemorrhage with intraventricular bleeding and hydrocephalus (Fig. 1). Her acute admission involved an extraventricular drain inserted by the neurosurgery service. A repeat CT brain performed 10 days later showed stable multicompartmental haemorrhage, and the extraventricular drain was removed. A ventriculoperitoneal shunt was inserted on Day 27 for ongoing management of the hydrocephalus. A digital subtraction angiogram showed no underlying aneurysm or arteriovenous shunt.
Initial CT revealing acute left-sided intraparenchymal haemorrhage with intraventricular extension and mass effect.
Her previous medical history included only untreated hypertension. She was commenced on amlodipine and metoprolol (the latter being commenced due to sinus tachycardia). Prior to admission she was fully independent and driving. Upon admission to rehabilitation, she was reliant on nasogastric feeds and had right hemiparesis with limited use of the right upper limb, and no movement in the right lower limb.
On Day 5 of her rehabilitation admission (29 days after the shunt was inserted), a rapid response call was initiated for reduced level of consciousness (Glasgow coma scale 3). An urgent CT brain was performed which showed an extensive area of low density in the right parietal and posterior frontal lobe adjacent to the entry of the ventricular shunt, with some subarachnoid blood in the adjacent sulci. The patient was transferred back to the acute hospital, where an urgent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan demonstrated a likely CSF cyst around the shunt catheter, with subacute haemorrhage within the cyst (Fig. 2). An abdominal CT scan showed no evidence of distal shunt obstruction. A surgical revision of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt took place the next day. Brisk flow was confirmed in the distal catheter without its Codman® Certas valve connected. A small amount of CSF egress was found around the ventricular catheter, and a replacement proximal catheter was inserted and connected to a new Certas valve.
Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI scan showing presence of the intraparenchymal cyst and surrounding vasogenic oedema.
On clinical review after the shunt revision, the patient’s level of consciousness had improved, with her Glasgow Coma Scale returning to 15. She was alert and conversational in both English and her native language, and was moving all limbs (although her pre-existing right hemiparesis persisted). A repeat CT brain was performed 1 day postoperatively which showed resolution of the cyst and reduced midline shift from 4 to 3 mm. An additional CT was performed 8 days after the revision, which revealed further improvement with reduced oedema and almost completes normalization of the midline shift to 1 mm. The patient was subsequently returned to the rehabilitation department for ongoing therapy and discharge planning. A progress CT done 41 days after the shunt revision showed no further evidence of the cyst, although ventricular dilatation persisted (Fig. 3).
CT scan performed 41 days after shunt revision, showing resolution of the periventricular cyst.
Her cognition fluctuated throughout the course of her admission, and despite her initial improvement postoperatively she remained persistently disoriented with poor memory. In view of this, and combined with her other impairments, she was deemed to have high level care needs with an unfavourable functional prognosis. She was ultimately discharged to a residential aged care facility.
Discussion
Pericatheter cyst is considered an extremely rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunting. Although over 30 000 shunts are performed annually within the United States alone [4], less than 35 cases of pericatheter cyst have been reported in the literature. Karydakis et al. [3] reviewed 20 published cases, identified as of 2018, and found that the most common presenting symptoms were headache (30% of cases) and vomiting (25% of cases). The time from shunt placement to the formation of a pericatheter cyst can be anything from 1 week to more than 15 years [3].
Formation of the cyst appears to result from raised CSF pressure in the ventricular system, causing egress of the CSF into surrounding tissue. The formation of a distinct cyst, as opposed to diffuse oedema, appears to result from a combination of predisposing factors, including rapid increase of pressure and formation of gliosis around the catheter [5]. Malpositioning of the catheter, such that catheter fenestrations are located outside the ventricle, may also predispose towards cyst formation [5, 6].
Findings on imaging can include mass effect and oedema on CT and can mimic the appearance of a tumour or abscess [7, 8]. A low index of suspicion for cyst formation, which is unsurprising given its rarity, may result in misdiagnosis and ineffective or unnecessary treatment. If an abscess is suspected, for instance, this would usually prompt treatment with empirical antibiotic therapy, particularly if ring enhancement is visible on CT [9]. Once the presence of a pericatheter cyst is confirmed, the usual management approach is revision of the shunt and correction of the obstruction. This usually results in rapid resolution of symptoms and shrinkage or complete resolution of the cyst, as was the case in our patient.
As of 2023, 31 cases are published in the literature, including this case [5–20]. We reviewed these cases, with relevant symptoms, findings and management details described in Table 1. Including our case, 58% of reported cases are male and 42% were under 18 years of age at the time of presentation. The single most common presenting symptom was headache (14 patients, 45%), followed by nausea/vomiting, (8 patients, 26%). A total of 26 patients ultimately went shunt revision, 2 had the shunt removed entirely, 1 had the cyst aspirated without revision, and 2 were not treated. The vast majority of those for which outcome information was available had a favourable outcome. Only four cases had documented concern for infection or tumour, suggesting that specific imaging findings such as signal isointensity with CSF and lack of contrast enhancement can be used in practice to differentiate periventricular cyst from the more typical findings of tumour and abscess.
Summary of cases of pericatheter cyst published to date.
| Case | Details | Symptoms | Time From Shunt Insertion | Imaging Findings | Concern for Abscess/Tumour | Management/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sugimoto et al. [10] | Male, 5 month old | Vomiting | 2 months | CT: cyst surrounding VP shunt. Nuclear scan: confirmed shunt obstruction. | No | Shunt revised and replaced contralaterally |
| Sugimoto et al. [10] | Female, 2 years old | Vomiting, Reduced consciousness | 2 months | CT shuntography: initially showed abdominal obstruction. MRI: confirmed periventricular cyst | No | Repeat shunt revision with resolution |
| Sugimoto et al. [10] | Female, 3 years old | Asymptomatic | 2 years | CT: Porencephaly surrounding the shunt catheter | No | Revision x2 required. Resolution of the cyst on follow-up scan |
| Sugimoto et al. [10] | Male, 10 years old | Seizure, Hemiparesis | 2 months (Ommaya reservoir) | CT: Porencephaly and intraparenchymal oedema. | No | Removal of chemotherapy reservoir and replacement with VP shunt. Cyst reduced |
| Sakamoto et al. [11] | Male, 7 years old | Subcutaneous fluid collection | 3 months | CT: low-density area surrounding the ventricular catheter. | No | Peritoneal component replaced. Symptoms resolved, marginal residual cyst at follow-up |
| Sakamoto et al. [11] | Male, 7 years old | Vomiting, subcutaneous fluid collection | 9 months | CT: slit-like lateral ventricles and pericatheter cyst in left frontal lobe. | No | Peritoneal component replaced. Symptoms resolved, marginal residual cyst at follow-up |
| Sakamoto et al. [11] | Male, 19 years old | Headache, Reduced consciousness | 1 month | MRI: cystic lesion surrounding ventricular catheter, ending at subcortical white matter | No | Peritoneal component replaced. Symptoms resolved, marginal residual cyst at follow-up |
| Sakamoto et al. [11] | Male, 6 months old | Vomiting, Reduced Consciousness | 1 year | CT: cerebrospinal fluid oedema along the catheter in association with periventricular CSF oedema. | No | Peritoneal component replaced. Symptoms and cyst both resolved |
| Iqbal et al. [5] | Male, 10 years old | Headache, Hemiparesis, Vomiting | 10 years | CT: hydrocephalus and low-density parenchymal lesion. MRI confirmed presence of cyst. | No | Endoscopic exploration. Removal and replacement of shunt system. Symptoms and limb strength improved |
| Iqbal et al. [5] | Male, 10 years old | Headache Hemiparesis, Nausea | Unknown | CT: hydrocephalus and low density, non-enhancing intraparenchymal lesion surrounding the ventricular catheter in the left frontal region. MRI: pericatheter cystic collection | No | Revision of shunt. Asymptomatic at 6 month follow-up |
| Vajramani et al. [12] | Female, 51 years old | Speech and writing problems | 4 years | Serial MRIs showed CSF cyst | No (known tumour separate to the cyst). | Cyst punctured and drained and catheter withdrawn. Cyst reaccumulated thereafter and a new catheter was inserted avoiding the cyst. Cyst and symptoms both completely resolved. |
| Sinha et al. [13] | Male, 4 years old | Ataxia, Gait disturbance | 3 years | MRI: pericatheter intraparenchymal cyst | No | Cyst aspirated; shunt not revised. Symptoms resolved over 18 months. |
| Sinha et al. [13] | Male, 5 months old | Asymptomatic | 4 weeks | CT: pericatheter cyst. | No | Serial observation scans; cyst slightly improved. No symptoms. |
| Rim et al. [14] | Male, 24 days old | Fontanelle bulging | 2 months | Pericatheter cyst reported on CT and MRI | No | Cyst drained via burr-hole. Reaccumulated two-months later and shunt revised. Symptoms resolved |
| Shekawat et al. [15] | Male, 65 years old | Hemiparesis | 3 days | MRI: cystic lesions containing CSF around the ventricular catheter with compression of the parietal lobe. | No | Cyst aspirated and VP shunt removed. Hemiparesis resolved. |
| Amans et al. [8] | Male, 20 years old | Headache, Nausea, Hemiparesis, Visual problems | 15 years | CT: homogenous low-density lesion in right frontal lobe surrounding the VP shunt. MRI (after shunt removal): multiloculated, spherical, fluid-filled mass with extensive surrounding vasogenic oedema and a thin, mildly T2-hypointense, minimally enhancing rim. | Yes (initially planned for surgical debridement) | Extravencitrular drain inserted. Shunt removed and sent for culture (negative). Contralateral VP shunt inserted. Cyst resolved at follow-up. |
| Balasubramaniam et al. [16] | Male, 18 years old | Seizure, Subgaleal swelling at shunt incision site. | 16 months | CT: periventricular porencephalic cyst around VP shunt catheter. | No | Shunt removed entirely. Cyst improved at one month, and seizures resolved. |
| Watkins et al. [17] | Female, 26 years old | Visual problems | 1 week | CT: cystic collection around right ventricular catheter. Abdominal x-ray: coiling of right distal catheter. MRI: No ischaemia. | No | Revision of distal catheter with drainage of high-pressure CSF. Visual fields normalised and cyst disappeared on 1 month follow-up imaging. |
| Bianchi [18] | Male, 19 years old | Hemiparesis | 19 years | MRI: right periventricular fronto-parietal cystic lesion surrounding catheter, with oedema. No gadolinium enhancement. | Yes. Planned for cyst excision. | At surgery, intra-ventricular catheter was found to be disconnected with fibrous covering. Upon dissection, high-pressure CSF escape occurred. New shunt was connected to the catheter which was left in place and functioned normally thereafter. Complete resolution of symptoms. |
| Lam and Gan [6] | Female, 25 years old | Headache, Visual problems | 1 month | CT: intraparenchymal cystic lesion isodense with CSF along catheter tract. MRI (post shunt removal): lesion noted to be T1 hypointense and T2 hyperintense with no gadolinium enhancement. | No (CSF culture negative) | Shunt removed and contralateral shunt inserted. Symptoms improved. Cyst regressed significantly by 8 month follow-up |
| Wallace and Grandhi [19] | Male, 60 years old | Headache, Reduced consciousness, Gait problems | 7 weeks | CT: intraparenchymal pericatheter cystic collection with severe oedema. MRI: simple cyst with significant oedema, no restricted diffusion or contrast enhancement of the cyst wall. | No | Shunt revision with proximal catheter replacement. Immediate resolution of symptoms. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Female, 38 years old | Headache | 12 months | CT: fluid collection along the tract of the catheter. Nuclear medicine study: no distal obstruction, but focal accumulation in the right frontal fluid collection. | No | Lost to follow-up without any intervention. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Male, 43 years old | Headache | 4 years | CT and MR both showed right frontal fluid collection along catheter tract in right frontal lobe. Nuclear medicine study: no transit of CSF, suggesting distal obstruction, and focal uptake suggesting additional proximal obstruction. | No | Shunt revision with rapid improvement of symptoms. Cyst completely resolved at 1-year follow-up |
| Kale et al. [7] | Female, 24 years old | Abdominal pain | 5 years | CT: fluid collection and oedema around right frontal shunt. Nuclear medicine study: delayed passage and accumulation in the collection. | No | Revision; outcome not stated. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Female, 43 years old | Headache | 3 months | CT and MRI: fluid collection and oedema along left frontal tract. Nuclear medicine study: focal tracer retention in the collection. | No | Revision; outcome not stated. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Female, 46 years old | Headache | 2 weeks | CT and MRI: collection and oedema along shunt tract. Nuclear medicine study: no distal obstruction. Focal intracranial accumulation in the region of the fluid collection. | No | Revision; outcome not stated. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Male, 36 years old | Headache, Tinnitus, Visual Problems | 15 months | CT and MRI: fluid collection and oedema on shunt tract. Nuclear medicine study: no tracer movement through distal portions of the shunt tubing. Collection of tracer at site of administration. | No | Revision; outcome not stated. |
| Karydakis et al. [3] | Female, 9 years old | Headache Vomiting | 4 years | MRI: non-enhancing homogenous cyst in right frontal lobe. | Yes (initially booked for craniotomy) | Shunt revision and cyst drainage. Cyst resolved on subsequent MRI. |
| Shah et al. [9] | Female, 54 years old | Headache, Visual problems | 16 years | CT: encephalomalacia with vasogenic oedema. MRI: intraparenchymal cyst in right frontal lobe with surrounding vasogenic oedema with ring enhancement. | Yes (empirical antibiotics commenced) | Burr hole aspiration of cyst and aspiration of shunt reservoir (cultures from both negative). Second shunt placed and distal catheter revised. Cyst unchanged at 4 days. Clinical outcome not stated. |
| de Oliviera [20] | Female, 22 years old | Headache, Visual problems | 3 months | CT: parenchymal lesion around the ventricular catheter with surrounding oedema. MRI: isointense lesion with non-enhancing wall. | No | Shunt revision with replacement of catheter. |
| Our case | Female, 67 years old | Reduced consciousness | 1 month | CT: extensive area of low density right parietal and posterior frontal lobe adjacent to the entry of the ventricular shunt; subarachnoid blood in the adjacent sulci. MRI: likely CSF cyst around the shunt catheter, with subacute haemorrhage within the cyst Abdominal CT: no evidence of distal shunt obstruction. | No | Shunt revision with proximal catheter replacement |
| Case | Details | Symptoms | Time From Shunt Insertion | Imaging Findings | Concern for Abscess/Tumour | Management/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sugimoto et al. [10] | Male, 5 month old | Vomiting | 2 months | CT: cyst surrounding VP shunt. Nuclear scan: confirmed shunt obstruction. | No | Shunt revised and replaced contralaterally |
| Sugimoto et al. [10] | Female, 2 years old | Vomiting, Reduced consciousness | 2 months | CT shuntography: initially showed abdominal obstruction. MRI: confirmed periventricular cyst | No | Repeat shunt revision with resolution |
| Sugimoto et al. [10] | Female, 3 years old | Asymptomatic | 2 years | CT: Porencephaly surrounding the shunt catheter | No | Revision x2 required. Resolution of the cyst on follow-up scan |
| Sugimoto et al. [10] | Male, 10 years old | Seizure, Hemiparesis | 2 months (Ommaya reservoir) | CT: Porencephaly and intraparenchymal oedema. | No | Removal of chemotherapy reservoir and replacement with VP shunt. Cyst reduced |
| Sakamoto et al. [11] | Male, 7 years old | Subcutaneous fluid collection | 3 months | CT: low-density area surrounding the ventricular catheter. | No | Peritoneal component replaced. Symptoms resolved, marginal residual cyst at follow-up |
| Sakamoto et al. [11] | Male, 7 years old | Vomiting, subcutaneous fluid collection | 9 months | CT: slit-like lateral ventricles and pericatheter cyst in left frontal lobe. | No | Peritoneal component replaced. Symptoms resolved, marginal residual cyst at follow-up |
| Sakamoto et al. [11] | Male, 19 years old | Headache, Reduced consciousness | 1 month | MRI: cystic lesion surrounding ventricular catheter, ending at subcortical white matter | No | Peritoneal component replaced. Symptoms resolved, marginal residual cyst at follow-up |
| Sakamoto et al. [11] | Male, 6 months old | Vomiting, Reduced Consciousness | 1 year | CT: cerebrospinal fluid oedema along the catheter in association with periventricular CSF oedema. | No | Peritoneal component replaced. Symptoms and cyst both resolved |
| Iqbal et al. [5] | Male, 10 years old | Headache, Hemiparesis, Vomiting | 10 years | CT: hydrocephalus and low-density parenchymal lesion. MRI confirmed presence of cyst. | No | Endoscopic exploration. Removal and replacement of shunt system. Symptoms and limb strength improved |
| Iqbal et al. [5] | Male, 10 years old | Headache Hemiparesis, Nausea | Unknown | CT: hydrocephalus and low density, non-enhancing intraparenchymal lesion surrounding the ventricular catheter in the left frontal region. MRI: pericatheter cystic collection | No | Revision of shunt. Asymptomatic at 6 month follow-up |
| Vajramani et al. [12] | Female, 51 years old | Speech and writing problems | 4 years | Serial MRIs showed CSF cyst | No (known tumour separate to the cyst). | Cyst punctured and drained and catheter withdrawn. Cyst reaccumulated thereafter and a new catheter was inserted avoiding the cyst. Cyst and symptoms both completely resolved. |
| Sinha et al. [13] | Male, 4 years old | Ataxia, Gait disturbance | 3 years | MRI: pericatheter intraparenchymal cyst | No | Cyst aspirated; shunt not revised. Symptoms resolved over 18 months. |
| Sinha et al. [13] | Male, 5 months old | Asymptomatic | 4 weeks | CT: pericatheter cyst. | No | Serial observation scans; cyst slightly improved. No symptoms. |
| Rim et al. [14] | Male, 24 days old | Fontanelle bulging | 2 months | Pericatheter cyst reported on CT and MRI | No | Cyst drained via burr-hole. Reaccumulated two-months later and shunt revised. Symptoms resolved |
| Shekawat et al. [15] | Male, 65 years old | Hemiparesis | 3 days | MRI: cystic lesions containing CSF around the ventricular catheter with compression of the parietal lobe. | No | Cyst aspirated and VP shunt removed. Hemiparesis resolved. |
| Amans et al. [8] | Male, 20 years old | Headache, Nausea, Hemiparesis, Visual problems | 15 years | CT: homogenous low-density lesion in right frontal lobe surrounding the VP shunt. MRI (after shunt removal): multiloculated, spherical, fluid-filled mass with extensive surrounding vasogenic oedema and a thin, mildly T2-hypointense, minimally enhancing rim. | Yes (initially planned for surgical debridement) | Extravencitrular drain inserted. Shunt removed and sent for culture (negative). Contralateral VP shunt inserted. Cyst resolved at follow-up. |
| Balasubramaniam et al. [16] | Male, 18 years old | Seizure, Subgaleal swelling at shunt incision site. | 16 months | CT: periventricular porencephalic cyst around VP shunt catheter. | No | Shunt removed entirely. Cyst improved at one month, and seizures resolved. |
| Watkins et al. [17] | Female, 26 years old | Visual problems | 1 week | CT: cystic collection around right ventricular catheter. Abdominal x-ray: coiling of right distal catheter. MRI: No ischaemia. | No | Revision of distal catheter with drainage of high-pressure CSF. Visual fields normalised and cyst disappeared on 1 month follow-up imaging. |
| Bianchi [18] | Male, 19 years old | Hemiparesis | 19 years | MRI: right periventricular fronto-parietal cystic lesion surrounding catheter, with oedema. No gadolinium enhancement. | Yes. Planned for cyst excision. | At surgery, intra-ventricular catheter was found to be disconnected with fibrous covering. Upon dissection, high-pressure CSF escape occurred. New shunt was connected to the catheter which was left in place and functioned normally thereafter. Complete resolution of symptoms. |
| Lam and Gan [6] | Female, 25 years old | Headache, Visual problems | 1 month | CT: intraparenchymal cystic lesion isodense with CSF along catheter tract. MRI (post shunt removal): lesion noted to be T1 hypointense and T2 hyperintense with no gadolinium enhancement. | No (CSF culture negative) | Shunt removed and contralateral shunt inserted. Symptoms improved. Cyst regressed significantly by 8 month follow-up |
| Wallace and Grandhi [19] | Male, 60 years old | Headache, Reduced consciousness, Gait problems | 7 weeks | CT: intraparenchymal pericatheter cystic collection with severe oedema. MRI: simple cyst with significant oedema, no restricted diffusion or contrast enhancement of the cyst wall. | No | Shunt revision with proximal catheter replacement. Immediate resolution of symptoms. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Female, 38 years old | Headache | 12 months | CT: fluid collection along the tract of the catheter. Nuclear medicine study: no distal obstruction, but focal accumulation in the right frontal fluid collection. | No | Lost to follow-up without any intervention. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Male, 43 years old | Headache | 4 years | CT and MR both showed right frontal fluid collection along catheter tract in right frontal lobe. Nuclear medicine study: no transit of CSF, suggesting distal obstruction, and focal uptake suggesting additional proximal obstruction. | No | Shunt revision with rapid improvement of symptoms. Cyst completely resolved at 1-year follow-up |
| Kale et al. [7] | Female, 24 years old | Abdominal pain | 5 years | CT: fluid collection and oedema around right frontal shunt. Nuclear medicine study: delayed passage and accumulation in the collection. | No | Revision; outcome not stated. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Female, 43 years old | Headache | 3 months | CT and MRI: fluid collection and oedema along left frontal tract. Nuclear medicine study: focal tracer retention in the collection. | No | Revision; outcome not stated. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Female, 46 years old | Headache | 2 weeks | CT and MRI: collection and oedema along shunt tract. Nuclear medicine study: no distal obstruction. Focal intracranial accumulation in the region of the fluid collection. | No | Revision; outcome not stated. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Male, 36 years old | Headache, Tinnitus, Visual Problems | 15 months | CT and MRI: fluid collection and oedema on shunt tract. Nuclear medicine study: no tracer movement through distal portions of the shunt tubing. Collection of tracer at site of administration. | No | Revision; outcome not stated. |
| Karydakis et al. [3] | Female, 9 years old | Headache Vomiting | 4 years | MRI: non-enhancing homogenous cyst in right frontal lobe. | Yes (initially booked for craniotomy) | Shunt revision and cyst drainage. Cyst resolved on subsequent MRI. |
| Shah et al. [9] | Female, 54 years old | Headache, Visual problems | 16 years | CT: encephalomalacia with vasogenic oedema. MRI: intraparenchymal cyst in right frontal lobe with surrounding vasogenic oedema with ring enhancement. | Yes (empirical antibiotics commenced) | Burr hole aspiration of cyst and aspiration of shunt reservoir (cultures from both negative). Second shunt placed and distal catheter revised. Cyst unchanged at 4 days. Clinical outcome not stated. |
| de Oliviera [20] | Female, 22 years old | Headache, Visual problems | 3 months | CT: parenchymal lesion around the ventricular catheter with surrounding oedema. MRI: isointense lesion with non-enhancing wall. | No | Shunt revision with replacement of catheter. |
| Our case | Female, 67 years old | Reduced consciousness | 1 month | CT: extensive area of low density right parietal and posterior frontal lobe adjacent to the entry of the ventricular shunt; subarachnoid blood in the adjacent sulci. MRI: likely CSF cyst around the shunt catheter, with subacute haemorrhage within the cyst Abdominal CT: no evidence of distal shunt obstruction. | No | Shunt revision with proximal catheter replacement |
Summary of cases of pericatheter cyst published to date.
| Case | Details | Symptoms | Time From Shunt Insertion | Imaging Findings | Concern for Abscess/Tumour | Management/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sugimoto et al. [10] | Male, 5 month old | Vomiting | 2 months | CT: cyst surrounding VP shunt. Nuclear scan: confirmed shunt obstruction. | No | Shunt revised and replaced contralaterally |
| Sugimoto et al. [10] | Female, 2 years old | Vomiting, Reduced consciousness | 2 months | CT shuntography: initially showed abdominal obstruction. MRI: confirmed periventricular cyst | No | Repeat shunt revision with resolution |
| Sugimoto et al. [10] | Female, 3 years old | Asymptomatic | 2 years | CT: Porencephaly surrounding the shunt catheter | No | Revision x2 required. Resolution of the cyst on follow-up scan |
| Sugimoto et al. [10] | Male, 10 years old | Seizure, Hemiparesis | 2 months (Ommaya reservoir) | CT: Porencephaly and intraparenchymal oedema. | No | Removal of chemotherapy reservoir and replacement with VP shunt. Cyst reduced |
| Sakamoto et al. [11] | Male, 7 years old | Subcutaneous fluid collection | 3 months | CT: low-density area surrounding the ventricular catheter. | No | Peritoneal component replaced. Symptoms resolved, marginal residual cyst at follow-up |
| Sakamoto et al. [11] | Male, 7 years old | Vomiting, subcutaneous fluid collection | 9 months | CT: slit-like lateral ventricles and pericatheter cyst in left frontal lobe. | No | Peritoneal component replaced. Symptoms resolved, marginal residual cyst at follow-up |
| Sakamoto et al. [11] | Male, 19 years old | Headache, Reduced consciousness | 1 month | MRI: cystic lesion surrounding ventricular catheter, ending at subcortical white matter | No | Peritoneal component replaced. Symptoms resolved, marginal residual cyst at follow-up |
| Sakamoto et al. [11] | Male, 6 months old | Vomiting, Reduced Consciousness | 1 year | CT: cerebrospinal fluid oedema along the catheter in association with periventricular CSF oedema. | No | Peritoneal component replaced. Symptoms and cyst both resolved |
| Iqbal et al. [5] | Male, 10 years old | Headache, Hemiparesis, Vomiting | 10 years | CT: hydrocephalus and low-density parenchymal lesion. MRI confirmed presence of cyst. | No | Endoscopic exploration. Removal and replacement of shunt system. Symptoms and limb strength improved |
| Iqbal et al. [5] | Male, 10 years old | Headache Hemiparesis, Nausea | Unknown | CT: hydrocephalus and low density, non-enhancing intraparenchymal lesion surrounding the ventricular catheter in the left frontal region. MRI: pericatheter cystic collection | No | Revision of shunt. Asymptomatic at 6 month follow-up |
| Vajramani et al. [12] | Female, 51 years old | Speech and writing problems | 4 years | Serial MRIs showed CSF cyst | No (known tumour separate to the cyst). | Cyst punctured and drained and catheter withdrawn. Cyst reaccumulated thereafter and a new catheter was inserted avoiding the cyst. Cyst and symptoms both completely resolved. |
| Sinha et al. [13] | Male, 4 years old | Ataxia, Gait disturbance | 3 years | MRI: pericatheter intraparenchymal cyst | No | Cyst aspirated; shunt not revised. Symptoms resolved over 18 months. |
| Sinha et al. [13] | Male, 5 months old | Asymptomatic | 4 weeks | CT: pericatheter cyst. | No | Serial observation scans; cyst slightly improved. No symptoms. |
| Rim et al. [14] | Male, 24 days old | Fontanelle bulging | 2 months | Pericatheter cyst reported on CT and MRI | No | Cyst drained via burr-hole. Reaccumulated two-months later and shunt revised. Symptoms resolved |
| Shekawat et al. [15] | Male, 65 years old | Hemiparesis | 3 days | MRI: cystic lesions containing CSF around the ventricular catheter with compression of the parietal lobe. | No | Cyst aspirated and VP shunt removed. Hemiparesis resolved. |
| Amans et al. [8] | Male, 20 years old | Headache, Nausea, Hemiparesis, Visual problems | 15 years | CT: homogenous low-density lesion in right frontal lobe surrounding the VP shunt. MRI (after shunt removal): multiloculated, spherical, fluid-filled mass with extensive surrounding vasogenic oedema and a thin, mildly T2-hypointense, minimally enhancing rim. | Yes (initially planned for surgical debridement) | Extravencitrular drain inserted. Shunt removed and sent for culture (negative). Contralateral VP shunt inserted. Cyst resolved at follow-up. |
| Balasubramaniam et al. [16] | Male, 18 years old | Seizure, Subgaleal swelling at shunt incision site. | 16 months | CT: periventricular porencephalic cyst around VP shunt catheter. | No | Shunt removed entirely. Cyst improved at one month, and seizures resolved. |
| Watkins et al. [17] | Female, 26 years old | Visual problems | 1 week | CT: cystic collection around right ventricular catheter. Abdominal x-ray: coiling of right distal catheter. MRI: No ischaemia. | No | Revision of distal catheter with drainage of high-pressure CSF. Visual fields normalised and cyst disappeared on 1 month follow-up imaging. |
| Bianchi [18] | Male, 19 years old | Hemiparesis | 19 years | MRI: right periventricular fronto-parietal cystic lesion surrounding catheter, with oedema. No gadolinium enhancement. | Yes. Planned for cyst excision. | At surgery, intra-ventricular catheter was found to be disconnected with fibrous covering. Upon dissection, high-pressure CSF escape occurred. New shunt was connected to the catheter which was left in place and functioned normally thereafter. Complete resolution of symptoms. |
| Lam and Gan [6] | Female, 25 years old | Headache, Visual problems | 1 month | CT: intraparenchymal cystic lesion isodense with CSF along catheter tract. MRI (post shunt removal): lesion noted to be T1 hypointense and T2 hyperintense with no gadolinium enhancement. | No (CSF culture negative) | Shunt removed and contralateral shunt inserted. Symptoms improved. Cyst regressed significantly by 8 month follow-up |
| Wallace and Grandhi [19] | Male, 60 years old | Headache, Reduced consciousness, Gait problems | 7 weeks | CT: intraparenchymal pericatheter cystic collection with severe oedema. MRI: simple cyst with significant oedema, no restricted diffusion or contrast enhancement of the cyst wall. | No | Shunt revision with proximal catheter replacement. Immediate resolution of symptoms. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Female, 38 years old | Headache | 12 months | CT: fluid collection along the tract of the catheter. Nuclear medicine study: no distal obstruction, but focal accumulation in the right frontal fluid collection. | No | Lost to follow-up without any intervention. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Male, 43 years old | Headache | 4 years | CT and MR both showed right frontal fluid collection along catheter tract in right frontal lobe. Nuclear medicine study: no transit of CSF, suggesting distal obstruction, and focal uptake suggesting additional proximal obstruction. | No | Shunt revision with rapid improvement of symptoms. Cyst completely resolved at 1-year follow-up |
| Kale et al. [7] | Female, 24 years old | Abdominal pain | 5 years | CT: fluid collection and oedema around right frontal shunt. Nuclear medicine study: delayed passage and accumulation in the collection. | No | Revision; outcome not stated. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Female, 43 years old | Headache | 3 months | CT and MRI: fluid collection and oedema along left frontal tract. Nuclear medicine study: focal tracer retention in the collection. | No | Revision; outcome not stated. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Female, 46 years old | Headache | 2 weeks | CT and MRI: collection and oedema along shunt tract. Nuclear medicine study: no distal obstruction. Focal intracranial accumulation in the region of the fluid collection. | No | Revision; outcome not stated. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Male, 36 years old | Headache, Tinnitus, Visual Problems | 15 months | CT and MRI: fluid collection and oedema on shunt tract. Nuclear medicine study: no tracer movement through distal portions of the shunt tubing. Collection of tracer at site of administration. | No | Revision; outcome not stated. |
| Karydakis et al. [3] | Female, 9 years old | Headache Vomiting | 4 years | MRI: non-enhancing homogenous cyst in right frontal lobe. | Yes (initially booked for craniotomy) | Shunt revision and cyst drainage. Cyst resolved on subsequent MRI. |
| Shah et al. [9] | Female, 54 years old | Headache, Visual problems | 16 years | CT: encephalomalacia with vasogenic oedema. MRI: intraparenchymal cyst in right frontal lobe with surrounding vasogenic oedema with ring enhancement. | Yes (empirical antibiotics commenced) | Burr hole aspiration of cyst and aspiration of shunt reservoir (cultures from both negative). Second shunt placed and distal catheter revised. Cyst unchanged at 4 days. Clinical outcome not stated. |
| de Oliviera [20] | Female, 22 years old | Headache, Visual problems | 3 months | CT: parenchymal lesion around the ventricular catheter with surrounding oedema. MRI: isointense lesion with non-enhancing wall. | No | Shunt revision with replacement of catheter. |
| Our case | Female, 67 years old | Reduced consciousness | 1 month | CT: extensive area of low density right parietal and posterior frontal lobe adjacent to the entry of the ventricular shunt; subarachnoid blood in the adjacent sulci. MRI: likely CSF cyst around the shunt catheter, with subacute haemorrhage within the cyst Abdominal CT: no evidence of distal shunt obstruction. | No | Shunt revision with proximal catheter replacement |
| Case | Details | Symptoms | Time From Shunt Insertion | Imaging Findings | Concern for Abscess/Tumour | Management/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sugimoto et al. [10] | Male, 5 month old | Vomiting | 2 months | CT: cyst surrounding VP shunt. Nuclear scan: confirmed shunt obstruction. | No | Shunt revised and replaced contralaterally |
| Sugimoto et al. [10] | Female, 2 years old | Vomiting, Reduced consciousness | 2 months | CT shuntography: initially showed abdominal obstruction. MRI: confirmed periventricular cyst | No | Repeat shunt revision with resolution |
| Sugimoto et al. [10] | Female, 3 years old | Asymptomatic | 2 years | CT: Porencephaly surrounding the shunt catheter | No | Revision x2 required. Resolution of the cyst on follow-up scan |
| Sugimoto et al. [10] | Male, 10 years old | Seizure, Hemiparesis | 2 months (Ommaya reservoir) | CT: Porencephaly and intraparenchymal oedema. | No | Removal of chemotherapy reservoir and replacement with VP shunt. Cyst reduced |
| Sakamoto et al. [11] | Male, 7 years old | Subcutaneous fluid collection | 3 months | CT: low-density area surrounding the ventricular catheter. | No | Peritoneal component replaced. Symptoms resolved, marginal residual cyst at follow-up |
| Sakamoto et al. [11] | Male, 7 years old | Vomiting, subcutaneous fluid collection | 9 months | CT: slit-like lateral ventricles and pericatheter cyst in left frontal lobe. | No | Peritoneal component replaced. Symptoms resolved, marginal residual cyst at follow-up |
| Sakamoto et al. [11] | Male, 19 years old | Headache, Reduced consciousness | 1 month | MRI: cystic lesion surrounding ventricular catheter, ending at subcortical white matter | No | Peritoneal component replaced. Symptoms resolved, marginal residual cyst at follow-up |
| Sakamoto et al. [11] | Male, 6 months old | Vomiting, Reduced Consciousness | 1 year | CT: cerebrospinal fluid oedema along the catheter in association with periventricular CSF oedema. | No | Peritoneal component replaced. Symptoms and cyst both resolved |
| Iqbal et al. [5] | Male, 10 years old | Headache, Hemiparesis, Vomiting | 10 years | CT: hydrocephalus and low-density parenchymal lesion. MRI confirmed presence of cyst. | No | Endoscopic exploration. Removal and replacement of shunt system. Symptoms and limb strength improved |
| Iqbal et al. [5] | Male, 10 years old | Headache Hemiparesis, Nausea | Unknown | CT: hydrocephalus and low density, non-enhancing intraparenchymal lesion surrounding the ventricular catheter in the left frontal region. MRI: pericatheter cystic collection | No | Revision of shunt. Asymptomatic at 6 month follow-up |
| Vajramani et al. [12] | Female, 51 years old | Speech and writing problems | 4 years | Serial MRIs showed CSF cyst | No (known tumour separate to the cyst). | Cyst punctured and drained and catheter withdrawn. Cyst reaccumulated thereafter and a new catheter was inserted avoiding the cyst. Cyst and symptoms both completely resolved. |
| Sinha et al. [13] | Male, 4 years old | Ataxia, Gait disturbance | 3 years | MRI: pericatheter intraparenchymal cyst | No | Cyst aspirated; shunt not revised. Symptoms resolved over 18 months. |
| Sinha et al. [13] | Male, 5 months old | Asymptomatic | 4 weeks | CT: pericatheter cyst. | No | Serial observation scans; cyst slightly improved. No symptoms. |
| Rim et al. [14] | Male, 24 days old | Fontanelle bulging | 2 months | Pericatheter cyst reported on CT and MRI | No | Cyst drained via burr-hole. Reaccumulated two-months later and shunt revised. Symptoms resolved |
| Shekawat et al. [15] | Male, 65 years old | Hemiparesis | 3 days | MRI: cystic lesions containing CSF around the ventricular catheter with compression of the parietal lobe. | No | Cyst aspirated and VP shunt removed. Hemiparesis resolved. |
| Amans et al. [8] | Male, 20 years old | Headache, Nausea, Hemiparesis, Visual problems | 15 years | CT: homogenous low-density lesion in right frontal lobe surrounding the VP shunt. MRI (after shunt removal): multiloculated, spherical, fluid-filled mass with extensive surrounding vasogenic oedema and a thin, mildly T2-hypointense, minimally enhancing rim. | Yes (initially planned for surgical debridement) | Extravencitrular drain inserted. Shunt removed and sent for culture (negative). Contralateral VP shunt inserted. Cyst resolved at follow-up. |
| Balasubramaniam et al. [16] | Male, 18 years old | Seizure, Subgaleal swelling at shunt incision site. | 16 months | CT: periventricular porencephalic cyst around VP shunt catheter. | No | Shunt removed entirely. Cyst improved at one month, and seizures resolved. |
| Watkins et al. [17] | Female, 26 years old | Visual problems | 1 week | CT: cystic collection around right ventricular catheter. Abdominal x-ray: coiling of right distal catheter. MRI: No ischaemia. | No | Revision of distal catheter with drainage of high-pressure CSF. Visual fields normalised and cyst disappeared on 1 month follow-up imaging. |
| Bianchi [18] | Male, 19 years old | Hemiparesis | 19 years | MRI: right periventricular fronto-parietal cystic lesion surrounding catheter, with oedema. No gadolinium enhancement. | Yes. Planned for cyst excision. | At surgery, intra-ventricular catheter was found to be disconnected with fibrous covering. Upon dissection, high-pressure CSF escape occurred. New shunt was connected to the catheter which was left in place and functioned normally thereafter. Complete resolution of symptoms. |
| Lam and Gan [6] | Female, 25 years old | Headache, Visual problems | 1 month | CT: intraparenchymal cystic lesion isodense with CSF along catheter tract. MRI (post shunt removal): lesion noted to be T1 hypointense and T2 hyperintense with no gadolinium enhancement. | No (CSF culture negative) | Shunt removed and contralateral shunt inserted. Symptoms improved. Cyst regressed significantly by 8 month follow-up |
| Wallace and Grandhi [19] | Male, 60 years old | Headache, Reduced consciousness, Gait problems | 7 weeks | CT: intraparenchymal pericatheter cystic collection with severe oedema. MRI: simple cyst with significant oedema, no restricted diffusion or contrast enhancement of the cyst wall. | No | Shunt revision with proximal catheter replacement. Immediate resolution of symptoms. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Female, 38 years old | Headache | 12 months | CT: fluid collection along the tract of the catheter. Nuclear medicine study: no distal obstruction, but focal accumulation in the right frontal fluid collection. | No | Lost to follow-up without any intervention. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Male, 43 years old | Headache | 4 years | CT and MR both showed right frontal fluid collection along catheter tract in right frontal lobe. Nuclear medicine study: no transit of CSF, suggesting distal obstruction, and focal uptake suggesting additional proximal obstruction. | No | Shunt revision with rapid improvement of symptoms. Cyst completely resolved at 1-year follow-up |
| Kale et al. [7] | Female, 24 years old | Abdominal pain | 5 years | CT: fluid collection and oedema around right frontal shunt. Nuclear medicine study: delayed passage and accumulation in the collection. | No | Revision; outcome not stated. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Female, 43 years old | Headache | 3 months | CT and MRI: fluid collection and oedema along left frontal tract. Nuclear medicine study: focal tracer retention in the collection. | No | Revision; outcome not stated. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Female, 46 years old | Headache | 2 weeks | CT and MRI: collection and oedema along shunt tract. Nuclear medicine study: no distal obstruction. Focal intracranial accumulation in the region of the fluid collection. | No | Revision; outcome not stated. |
| Kale et al. [7] | Male, 36 years old | Headache, Tinnitus, Visual Problems | 15 months | CT and MRI: fluid collection and oedema on shunt tract. Nuclear medicine study: no tracer movement through distal portions of the shunt tubing. Collection of tracer at site of administration. | No | Revision; outcome not stated. |
| Karydakis et al. [3] | Female, 9 years old | Headache Vomiting | 4 years | MRI: non-enhancing homogenous cyst in right frontal lobe. | Yes (initially booked for craniotomy) | Shunt revision and cyst drainage. Cyst resolved on subsequent MRI. |
| Shah et al. [9] | Female, 54 years old | Headache, Visual problems | 16 years | CT: encephalomalacia with vasogenic oedema. MRI: intraparenchymal cyst in right frontal lobe with surrounding vasogenic oedema with ring enhancement. | Yes (empirical antibiotics commenced) | Burr hole aspiration of cyst and aspiration of shunt reservoir (cultures from both negative). Second shunt placed and distal catheter revised. Cyst unchanged at 4 days. Clinical outcome not stated. |
| de Oliviera [20] | Female, 22 years old | Headache, Visual problems | 3 months | CT: parenchymal lesion around the ventricular catheter with surrounding oedema. MRI: isointense lesion with non-enhancing wall. | No | Shunt revision with replacement of catheter. |
| Our case | Female, 67 years old | Reduced consciousness | 1 month | CT: extensive area of low density right parietal and posterior frontal lobe adjacent to the entry of the ventricular shunt; subarachnoid blood in the adjacent sulci. MRI: likely CSF cyst around the shunt catheter, with subacute haemorrhage within the cyst Abdominal CT: no evidence of distal shunt obstruction. | No | Shunt revision with proximal catheter replacement |
This case report not only adds to the limited available literature regarding pericatheter cysts but also highlights the critical role of urgent neuroimaging in identifying shunt complications and guiding appropriate and timely intervention. Early intervention and correction of a pericatheter cyst can facilitate a favourable prognosis, which reversal of symptoms and substantial improvement in the patient’s presentation.
Conclusion
This case outlines an example of an extremely rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunting: the formation of a pericatheter cyst. The clinical presentation of our patient, whose level of consciousness dramatically decreased with the formation of the cyst, emphasizes the importance of early recognition of this complication. The patient’s significant improvement following surgical revision underscores the effectiveness of this intervention.
Despite the rarity of pericatheter cysts, this case suggests that healthcare professionals should maintain a high index of suspicion when treating patients with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt who present with altered neurological status. It is essential to distinguish this condition from other potential causes, such as tumour, or abscess, as its management differs from these causes and carries a favourable prognosis.
Author contributions
L.S. authored the initial manuscript. B.Z. reviewed the manuscript prior to submission was a senior clinician involved in the patient’s medical care. All authors reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript prior to submission.
Conflict of interest statement
L.S. and B.Z. report no conflict of interests to declare.
Funding
No external funding was received for the preparation of this report. The authors are employees of Northern Sydney Local Health District, where the patient was treated. The authors’ employer was not involved in the production or content of this manuscript, or the decision to publish.
Data availability
Clinical data related to this case is retained by Northern Sydney Local Health District, NSW, Australia. This data is not available for public release due to legislative requirements regarding patient confidentiality.
Ethics and consent for publication
Executive approval for this case report was obtained from the Northern Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee prior to submission, in accordance with local ethics regulations.
Informed written consent was provided by the patient’s next of kin (acting as her person responsible) for publication of this case. A copy of the consent form is retained by the authors and will be provided to the Editor-In-Chief upon request.
