Use of cerebrospinal fluid shunts in patients having acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with cryptococcal meningitis and uncontrollable intracranial hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the treatment of serious and uncontrollable intracranial hypertension in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who developed cryptococcal meningitis.


METHODS
All cases of cryptococcal meningitis with elevated pressure and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome were reviewed in detail and described.


RESULTS
Cerebrospinal fluid shunting dramatically improved these critically ill patients and was much more successful than serial lumbar punctures or the use of high-dose dexamethasone.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who develop cryptococcal meningitis and who suffer serious visual loss or ocular palsies with elevated pressures should be considered for cerebrospinal fluid shunting at an early stage.
Bach
M C
MC
Department of Medicine, Manatee Memorial Hospital, Bradenton, Florida, USA.
Tally
P W
PW
Godofsky
E W
EW
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019586:Intracranial Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D016919:Meningitis, Cryptococcal / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed