Fatal intratumoral hemorrhage following ventriculo-peritoneal shunt.

Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, one of the most common surgical procedures performed by neurosurgeons all over the world has been associated with a number of complications; the most common being infection and mechanical failure. Most of these complications tend to increase morbidity with prolonged hospital stay and cost. Though subdural, extradural or intracerebral hematomas have been described after ventriculo-peritoneal shunt placement, fatal intratumoral bleed has been very uncommon. The authors describe a case of basal ganglionic tumor in a 15-year-old child who underwent emergency ventriculo-peritoneal shunt placement for associated hydrocephalus and deteriorating consciousness. She had a sudden deterioration following the procedure and imaging revealed massive intratumoral hemorrhage.