An analysis of cerebrospinal fluid shunt infections in adults. A clinical experience of twelve years.
The authors analyze a group of 451 shunt operations where 317 patients had hydrocephalus and 23 cases were reported positive after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures. Staphylococcus was the most frequent bacterial organism found (57%). This retrospective study of 23 patients in whom infection developed following placement of an extrathecal shunt, although not a complete biometric evaluation, shows an incidence of infection of 5%. The authors also indicate the limitations in antibiotic treatment when three significant aspects of therapy are not considered fully: 1. sensitivity of the identified organism, 2. CSF levels of the drug that can be attained, and 3. the pharmacokinetic action of the drug in the CSF.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D010537:Peritoneum; D011379:Prognosis; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology*