Post-shunt ascites in infants with optic chiasmal hypothalamic astrocytoma: Role of ventricular gallbladder shunt

Greg Olavarria, Aaron J. Reitman, Stewart Goldman, Tadanori Tomita*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: We report a series of infants with optic chiasmal hypothalamic astrocytomas (OCHAs) who developed abdominal ascites following ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunting. The mechanism of ascites development among these patients with OCHA remains speculative and unclear. Methods: We treated four infants with hypothalamic tumors who were shunted for hydrocephalus using standard VP shunts and who subsequently experienced symptomatic ascites. Results: In three patients the gallbladder proved an effective alternative site for shunting prior to conversion to other sites, and in one patient the gallbladder shunt remains functional and revision-free. Conclusions: Several aspects of the gallbladder as a reservoir for CSF make this approach appealing. Ventricular gallbladder shunting provided an effective (at least temporarily) receptacle for CSF in these patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)382-384
Number of pages3
JournalChild's Nervous System
Volume21
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2005

Keywords

  • Ascites
  • Gallbladder shunt
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Hypothalamic gliomas

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Clinical Neurology

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