Early overdrain of cerebrospinal fluid in infected hydrocephalus: Simple and novel technique

Abstract

BackgroundPostneurosurgical nosocomial cerebral ventriculitis is associated with a prognostic spectrum that depends on the causative microorganism and the patient’s clinical status and subsequent management. Ventriculitis, followed by hydrocephalus, tends to be medically refractory and causes a catastrophic prognosis.Case report: We describe the cases of two patients with ventriculitis resulting from neurosurgical procedures. In addition, we discuss the treatment process and factors responsible for the success and failure of treatment. ConclusionConsidering that the inflammatory process is characterized by an adhesion reaction, early overdrainage of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can lead to collapse of the ventricle, preventing secondary hydrocephalus. If early CSF overdrainage fails, the contaminated CSF becomes turbid and viscous, and cannot be removed by external ventricular drainage or shunt surgery. Clinicians must keep in mind that early detection of ventriculitis and early CSF overdrainage are important factors in the treatment of infected hydrocephalus.