Hepatic cyst associated with ventriculoperitoneal shunt in a child with brain tumor.

A 12-year-old boy with a thalamic grade IV astrocytoma and ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt developed epigastric pain and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. The SGOT and alkaline phosphatase levels were markedly elevated and the radiological studies showed a cyst in the right lobe of the liver, extending to the porta hepatis. Simple repositioning of the shunt resulted in complete resolution of clinical findings and disappearance of the cyst. Although abdominal pseudocysts associated with VP shunts have been reported, this is the first report of a cyst involving liver and causing hepatic dysfunction.