Background: The migration of ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt catheters used in the treatment of hydrocephalus is an infrequent complication which occurs without any recognizable cause.

Case report: An unusual case of ventricular catheter extrusion into the subgaleal area in a five-month-old hydrocephalic baby is presented. The event occured nearly 3 months following the placement of a VP shunt. VP shunt revision was performed without any neurological deterioration, and the patient has been included in the clinical follow-up protocol.

Conclusion: In the literature ventricular end extrusion into the scalp has not been reported, so far. Although VP shunt application is very effective in treatment of hydrocephalus, it may cause unexpected complications.

Keywords: Migration, shunt, ventriculoperitoneal, subgaleal coiling