Cerebrospinal fluid leakage from the umbilicus: Case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION: Shunt catheters within the peritoneal cavity have migrated through and perforated almost all the intra-abdominal hollow viscera. An umbilical cerebrospinal fluid fistula following a ventriculoperitoneal shunt is an extremely rare complication. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 8-month-old infant who presented with leak of clear fluid from the umbilicus, seven months after a ventriculoperitoneal shunt operation. We could not see distal tip of the shunt on examination. After the operation, the patient’s follow-up was uneventful. DISCUSSION: The direct effect of CSF and VP shunt, such as chronic irrigation, silicon allergy, foreign body reaction, may cause sterile inflammation on the abdominal structures and this inflammation may soften tissue and cause CFS leakage and VP shunt extrusion. CONCLUSION: If the distal tip detected on umbilical region, these patients should be examined frequently for umbilical shunt pathologies, especially infants.