Pneumocephalus secondary to cerebrobronchial fistula formed by a ventriculoatrial shunt. Case report.

A case is presented in which the atrial tip of a ventriculoatrial shunt formed a fistulous connection with the bronchial tree in a child. This resulted in acute bronchopneumonia, pneumocephalus, and ventriculitis. Pneumocephalus was created by an artificial respirator forcing air along the shunt tract during treatment of bronchopneumonia. Sudden death was related to transtentorial herniation. The diagnosis of a cerebrobronchial fistula should be entertained in shunt patients with respiratory distress and radiographic pulmonary densities unresponsive to antibiotics.