Nephritis following shunt operation for hydrocephalus

The ventriculo-atrial (VA) and ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunts implanted due to hypertensive hydrocephalus might get infected and be complicated by shunt nephritis. We reviewed the morphological changes in kidney retrospectively in the autopsy materials of our institute for the last 15 years after shunt implantation. Histological examination of the kidney was performed in 26 of these cases having 7 cases with glomerular morphological changes. Thus, the shunt nephritis is a relatively frequent complication of VA or VP shunts implanted due to hydrocephalus. Monitorization and follow-up of kidney function in case of any dysfunction of the shunt may suggest the possibility of shunt infection, and the removal of the infected shunt may protect the development of more severe, septic complications.