Affiliations: Department of Neurosurgery, The Ohio State University
Medical Center, OH, USA | Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University
College of Medicine, OH, USA | Division of Neurosurgery, Columbus Children's
Hospital, OH, USA
Note: [] Correspondence: Chris S. Karas, M.D., Department of
Neurosurgery, Ohio State University Medical Center, N-1021 Doan Hall 410 W.
10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Tel.: +1 614 293 0821; Fax: +1 614 293
4281; E-mail: ckaras@yahoo.com
Abstract: A case of immunoassay proven West Nile virus encephalitis in a
six-year old girl with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt is described. The patient
was initially evaluated for shunt dysfunction, but further testing revealed
viral encephalitis. Importantly, once the diagnosis was confirmed, the child's
treatment and recovery did not require shunt revision. This is the first
reported case of the diagnosis and treatment of West Nile virus encephalitis in
the setting of ventriculoperitoneal shunting.
Keywords: West Nile virus, hydrocephalus, encephalitis, ventriculoperitoneal shunt
