Abdominal Cerebrospinal Fluid Pseudocyst Diagnosed with Point-of-care Ultrasound

Abdominal pseudocysts are rare complications of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts characterized by accumulations of cerebrospinal fluid surrounded by fibrous layers in the intra-abdominal cavity or abdominal wall. We present a woman with bilateral VP shunts who presented with right-sided abdominal di...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Brittany J. Guest, Michael H. Merjanian, Emily F. Chiu, Caleb P. Canders
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: eScholarship Publishing, University of California 2019-02-01
Series:Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine
Online Access:https://escholarship.org/uc/item/09d3118f
Description
Summary:Abdominal pseudocysts are rare complications of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts characterized by accumulations of cerebrospinal fluid surrounded by fibrous layers in the intra-abdominal cavity or abdominal wall. We present a woman with bilateral VP shunts who presented with right-sided abdominal distension, pain, and tenderness and who was found to have an abdominal pseudocyst on point-of-care ultrasound and computed tomography. Given the potential to develop a secondary infection or VP shunt malfunction, it is important for emergency providers to consider intra-abdominal complications of VP shunts, including rare ones such as abdominal pseudocysts, in these patients who present with vague abdominal complaints.
ISSN:2474-252X