Overshunting-Related Cervical Myelopathy Causing Progressive Gait Disturbance: A Case Report

We present a 75-year-old man, previously given a VP shunt at the age of 46, who developed a progressive gait disturbance and ataxia of the limbs after 27 years. MRI showed a cervical stenosis and myelopathy as a result of venous engorgement due to chronic overshunting of the VP shunt. Revision of the VP shunt resulted in complete resolution of his neurological symptoms and the cervical myelopathy. Cervical myelopathy due to chronic overshunting is a rare and potentially very late complication of a VP shunt. Our case underlines the importance of awareness of this complication while proper treatment can reverse the associated symptoms fully.Case Rep Neurol 2021;13:312 –317

Source: Case Reports in Neurology - June 1, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research