Glucocorticosteroid treatment for cerebrospinal fluid eosinophilia in a patient with ventriculoperitonial shunt.
BACKGROUND
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) eosinophilia commonly occurs in patients with ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts and is associated with shunt complications such as obstruction or infection. Glucocorticosteroids (GCS) are effective in reducing eosinophilia and eosinophils in skin, nasal mucosa, and airway epithelium. Effects of GCS on CSF eosinophils has not been reported.


OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate glucocorticosteroid effects on the CSF eosinophil levels and to propose that GCS may be used as a therapeutic agent for CSF eosinophilia.


RESULTS
A case report of a patient with congenital hydrocephalus and a VP shunt developed CSF eosinophilia associated with latex allergy and shunt malfunction. Daily treatment with 2 mg/kg of methylprednisolone was associated with reduced peripheral eosinophilia and slightly reduced CSF eosinophil counts. Pulse methylprednisolone, 15 mg/kg, was associated with complete reduction of CSF eosinophils and prolonged VP shunt survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Systemic glucocorticosteroids effectively reduce CSF eosinophils. Glucocorticosteroids may be beneficial for treatment of CSF eosinophilia associated with VP shunt malfunction.
Tangsinmankong
N
N
Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida/All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-4899, USA.
Nelson
R P
RP
Good
R A
RA
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D002648:Child; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012828:Silicones; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D012828:Silicones; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; C013830:baysilon; D008775:Methylprednisolone