Retrograde migration of the venous catheter as a complication of ventriculoatrial shunts in adults. Case report.

The retrograde cephalad migration of the flexible venous catheter into a large internal jugular vein is described in two cases of adult "normal" pressure hydrocephalus treated with Holter ventriculoatrial shunts. The successful correction of this problem by replacement of the standard type "C" catheter with a slightly more rigid catheter and internal jugular vein ligation is described.