Migration of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter through the processus vaginalis in infants: how serious inguinal hernia and hydrocele might be.

Migration of the catheter tip of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) through a patent processus vaginalis (PV) has seldom being reported. In this series, we analyzed all cases of inguinoscrotal migration of an VPS catheter at our center. Between 1975 and 2015, 295 VPS insertions were performed. In seven infants (2.3%), migration of the catheter through a patent PV was demonstrated. Cases with hydroceles had associated VPS malfunction, but cases with hernias were not associated with it. The current recommendation is to delay a PV closure until 2 years of age in cases of infants with hydrocele without further radiological examinations, but this might not be the case in infants with VPS.