Distal ventriculoperitoneal shunt failure caused by silicone allergy. Case report

J Neurosurg. 2005 Mar;102(3):536-9. doi: 10.3171/jns.2005.102.3.0536.

Abstract

The placement of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is the most common form of treatment for hydrocephalus. Although allergic reactions to the silicone in shunt hardware are very rare, the authors describe a case of silicone allergy causing multiple ventricular shunt revisions. A 24-year-old man, who had undergone multiple VP shunt revisions, presented with shunt malfunction caused by allergic reaction of the tissues surrounding the shunt tubing. The patient's existing silicone-based shunt was replaced with a new polyurethane system, including the proximal and distal catheters as well as the valve mechanism. Contrary to recommendations in previous studies of silicone shunt allergies, long-term immunosuppression was not initiated. The patient was followed up for more than 8 years without recurrence of an allergic reaction to the shunt. This outcome indicates that replacing the original silicone-based shunt system with a polyurethane-based system alone is sufficient in the treatment of a silicone shunt allergy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / complications*
  • Equipment Failure
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus / therapy
  • Male
  • Polyurethanes
  • Silicones / adverse effects*
  • Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Polyurethanes
  • Silicones