CEREBROSPINAL ASCITES DEVELOPED 3 YEARS AFTER VENTRICULOPERITONEAL SHUNTING IN A HYDROCEPHALIC PATIENT

We report a 23-year-old woman who developed ascites 3 years after vent riculoperitoneal shunting. Revision of the shunt to ventricular draina ge followed by ventriculo-atrial shunting was required for resolution of ascites. In our patient the pathophysiology of this rare shunt comp lication most likely involved impaired absorption of fluid within the peritoneum associated with multiple shunt reconstructions and tube ext ensions resulting in chronic inflammation. Cerebrospinal ascites must be suspected irrespective of post-shunt intervals in similar patients.