Intestinal obstruction caused by extraperitoneal cerebrospinal fluid collection.

External compression caused by a massive extraperitoneal cerebrospinal fluid collection lead to intestinal obstruction in a 3-year-old child who had previously had a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for treatment of hydrocephalus. Radiological findings and ways of preventing this situation are discussed. A useful diagnostic radiological sign, the "coiling sign', indicating shunt misplacement at the peritoneal level, is also described.