Acute abdominal manifestations in patients with ventriculo-peritoneal shunts.

Five patients with acute abdominal manifestations after revision of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt were identified. Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and distention prompted surgical intervention. Clinical evidence of increased intracranial pressure or shunt malfunction were not prominent findings. Exteriorization of the distal (peritoneal) catherer resolved the acute abdominal findings promptly.