Abdominal wall endometriosis associated with ventriculoperitoneal and lumboperitoneal shunts: a report of 2 cases of an extremely rare phenomenon

Int J Surg Pathol. 2012 Jun;20(3):301-4. doi: 10.1177/1066896911424900. Epub 2011 Oct 13.

Abstract

Endometriosis is a common condition in women of reproductive age and has a known propensity to involve abdominal wall scars. The authors report 2 cases of endometriosis presenting as mass lesions involving the abdominal wall at the site of insertion of ventriculoperitoneal and lumboperitoneal shunts. In both cases, there was clinical evidence of shunt compromise. Endometriosis involving the site of shunt insertion is an extremely rare phenomenon with, as far as the authors are aware, only a single previously reported case. However, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis when a mass develops at a shunt site in a woman of reproductive age.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Wall / pathology*
  • Adult
  • Arnold-Chiari Malformation / surgery
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / adverse effects*
  • Cicatrix / pathology*
  • Endometriosis / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Hypertension / surgery
  • Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / adverse effects*