ArticleCureus2024
Incidence and Management of Pseudocysts in Patients With Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts: A Study in Pakistan.
Article in Cureus, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Trapped Below: Abdominal Pseudocysts Associated With Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts in Coccidioidal Meningitis.Open forum infectious diseases · 2025Article
- Article
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6 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundVentriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are a common medical intervention used to treat hydrocephalus, a condition characterized by the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain's ventricles, leading to increased intracranial pressure. While VP shunts are effective in managing hydrocephalus, they can lead to complications such as the formation of abdominal pseudocysts, which can compromise the functionality of the shunt and pose significant health risks.
objectiveThe primary objective of this study was to determine the incidence of pseudocyst formation in patients with VP shunts in Pakistan. The secondary objective was to evaluate the outcomes of conservative versus surgical management strategies and identify risk factors associated with pseudocyst recurrence in this population.
methodsThis prospective observational study was conducted at Jinnah Teaching Hospital, Pakistan, from January 2021 to December 2022. The study included 50 patients diagnosed with pseudocysts associated with VP shunts. Participants were managed with either conservative (observation and aspiration) or surgical interventions (shunt revision, relocation, removal, or pseudocyst excision). The primary outcome measures were the resolution rates of pseudocysts and the incidence of complications. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square tests, t-tests, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, with significance set at p<0.05.
resultsThe study found a 3.5% incidence of pseudocysts among 1400 VP shunt patients. The median time to pseudocyst formation was 22 months (IQR 18-30). Surgical management yielded an 85% resolution rate compared to 60% for conservative management (p = 0.02). The recurrence of pseudocysts was significantly associated with advanced age (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.2), a higher BMI (HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.7), and the presence of hydrocephalus (HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.9). Although surgical interventions had a higher complication rate (14% vs. 6% for conservative management), the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.1).
conclusionThe study highlights a 3.5% incidence of pseudocysts in VP shunt patients, with surgical management proving more effective than conservative methods despite a slightly higher, non-significant risk of complications. These findings underscore the importance of tailored patient management, particularly for those at higher risk of recurrence, and suggest the need for further research to enhance surgical techniques and outcomes, especially in resource-limited settings.
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