Asymptomatic perforated viscus and gram-negative ventriculitis as a complication of valve-regulated ventriculoperitoneal shunts

Abstract

✓ Two cases of small bowel perforation secondary to valve regulated ventriculoperitoneal shunts are reported. In both instances the shunts continued to function. There were no abnormal abdominal signs or symptoms. In one patient it is believed that recurrent gram-negative ventriculitis resulted from the distal small bowel perforation, and that this may be a clue to otherwise asymptomatic small bowel perforations.