Introduction: Intrathoracic migration of ventriculoperitoneal shunt can be transdiaphragmatic or supradiaphragmatic. This complication causes important respiratory symptoms.
Case presentation: A 7 year-old Caucasian female, hospitalized with the prediagnosis of pneumonia, was determined to have ventriculoperitoneal shunt migration at left hemithorax. A left thoracotomy was performed and the shunt was successfully removed transdiaphragmatically.
Conclusion: The patients with intrathoracic migration of ventriculoperitoneal shunt must be treated surgically as soon as possible. Transdiaphragmatic surgical approach would be more suitable from the point of surgical easiness.