Cerebral Parenchymal Cyst: A Rare Complication of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Malfunction

A cerebral parenchymal cyst is an infrequent complication of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt malfunction, characterized by the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain tissue. The current article aims to report a case of a rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunting in a 5-year-old child who was referred to the Neurosurgery Service with headache, drowsiness, and vomiting. To investigate the case, imaging studies were conducted, including two non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scans, which were performed 7 days apart and revealed a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cyst in the right parietal region, surrounding the VP shunt catheter at Keen's point. The child had previously undergone VP shunt placement at Keen's point at the age of 1 year to treat hydrocephalus secondary to bacterial meningitis. This case contributes to the limited literature on this rare complication. When professionals are aware of the possibility of this complication, more cases tend to be recognized, reported, and published, contributing to better understanding and management.