Pneumothorax After a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement: Case Report and Review of the Literature

An 82-year-old woman underwent a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement to treat hydrocephalus secondary to a right thalamic intracerebral hemorrhage. Pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema was noted 2 hours later. No respiratory distress was noted. A chest computed tomography scan revealed that the shunt tube had penetrated the diaphragm and entered the pleural space. The shunt tube penetrated the lung parenchyma and exited the pleural space via the third intercostal space. She underwent chest drainage and VP shunt re-position. The VP shunt functioned properly and no infection was noted. Bending the shunt passer slightly and keeping the passer tip pointed upward and palpable during its advancement may prevent this complication. It may be acceptable to leave the shunt tube in place after chest drainage for pneumothorax.