Rapid evaluation of ventriculoperitoneal shunt function in a pediatric patient using emergency ultrasound.

A 9-year-old girl with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt presents to the emergency department with progressive positional headaches, vomiting, fatigue, and pain over her shunt tract. Emergency ultrasound was used to diagnose discontinuity in the cervical portion of the shunt allowing for expedited care while waiting for confirmatory testing. She underwent urgent shunt replacement with good outcome.