A rare case of shunt malfunction attributable to blockage of a Codman-Hakim programmable shunt valve.

BACKGROUND: We report a rare case of shunt malfunction resulting from blockage of a Codman-Hakim programmable shunt valve by fibrinoid-like tissues. HISTORY: The patient had undergone shunt system placement for hydrocephalus after hemorrhagic infarction at the age of 8 months; a Codman-Hakim programmable shunt valve was used at that time. LATER COURSE: Two years after shunt placement, the boy suffered from irritability and poor activity when the aforementioned shunt malfunction arose following valve blockage by fibrinoid-like tissues. He underwent shunt revision and was subsequently free of symptoms.