Ischemic bowel secondary to ventriculoperitoneal shunt knotting: a surprisingly rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunting. Case report

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt knotting causing bowel obstruction and necrosis in an adult patient

Knotting or twisting of the peritoneal catheter around a bowel segment, causing bowel obstruction and necrosis, is extremely rare. Only six cases have been reported in the literature. This report described the second case of an adult patient with spontaneous knotting of the peritoneal catheter around a small-bowel segment, causing bowel obstruction and necrosis. The presentation of a knotted ventriculoperitoneal shunt around a bowel loop is stereotypical. Treatment and general recommendations have been made to help guide clinicians when encountering such cases. Evidence of small-bowel obstruction in a twisted, coiled or knotted peritoneal catheter may need surgical intervention. In the setting of progressive abdominal manifestations, knotting of the peritoneal catheter around bowel loops may cause bowel obstruction and may present with acute life-threatening manifestations. Efficient and expedite diagnosis should be made to coordinate multispecialty intervention and follow-up appropriately.