Bilateral Subdural Hematomas after Lumboperitoneal Shunt Placement

BackgroundLumboperitoneal shunts are commonly placed as treatment for a variety of conditions, and complications can be significant.ObjectivesWe discuss a rare complication of these shunts, namely bilateral non-traumatic subdural hematoma formation.Case ReportA patient with a normal neurologic examination but severe nausea, weight loss, and dehydration presented 2 weeks after lumboperitoneal shunt placement for cryptococcal meningitis, and was found to have bilateral subdural hematomas.ConclusionsPhysicians should be aware of this potentially devastating complication of shunt placement so that prompt and appropriate treatment can be initiated.