Sub-galeal coiling of the proximal and distal components of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. An unusual complication and proposed mechanism.

We describe the case of a child in whom proximal migration of the peritoneal catheter and extrusion of the ventricular catheter resulted in the entire ventriculo-peritoneal shunt along with the shunt chamber (Orbis Sigma II valve) lying in a sub-galeal pocket in the occipital region in a tightly coiled fashion. This coiling was very similar in appearance to that of the pre-insertion shunt in the packaging when it is supplied; hence it is postulated that the migration was secondary to retained 'memory' of the shunt tubing. This is a rare complication of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, which has not been described before.