Repeated shunt dysfunction due to Barium allergy that was difficult to differentiate from shunt infection

J Med Invest. 2023;70(3.4):521-523. doi: 10.2152/jmi.70.521.

Abstract

We encountered a case of repeated shunt dysfunction caused by barium allergy. The patient was a 60-year-old male who underwent ventricular peritoneal shunting for hydrocephalus following subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a ruptured aneurysm;however, it malfunctioned many times. A patch test performed after the third reconstruction was positive for barium. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of shunt malfunction due to barium allergy. The patch test is useful in cases of suspected allergy-related dysfunction. We recommend the introduction of barium into antigen testing using the patch test. J. Med. Invest. 70 : 521-523, August, 2023.

Keywords: Shunt dysfunction; barium allergy; hydrocephalus; shunt infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Barium
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus* / complications
  • Hydrocephalus* / diagnostic imaging
  • Hydrocephalus* / surgery
  • Hypersensitivity* / complications
  • Hypersensitivity* / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage* / diagnostic imaging
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage* / surgery
  • Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / adverse effects

Substances

  • Barium