title: Use of ventriculoperitoneal shunts to treat uncontrollable intracranial hypertension in patients who have cryptococcal meningitis without hydrocephalus.
abstract: Between 1997 and 2000, 4 human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients in our institution had cryptococcal meningitis with uncontrollable intracranial hypertension. All 4 patients were treated with antifungal drugs as well as ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts for intracranial hypertension. Neurological deficits that were unresponsive to pharmacologic treatment were resolved by use of the VP shunt. Uncontrollable elevation of intracranial pressure associated with cryptococcal meningitis can be resolved by use of a VP shunt, even when imaging studies do not reveal hydrocephalus.
authors.affiliation: Departments of 1Neurosurgery and 2Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center, Kaohsiung Hsien, Taiwan. chlu99@ms44.url.com.tw
authors.forename: Po-Chou
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Liliang
authors.forename: Cheng-Loong
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Wen-Neng
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Kang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Cheng-Hsien
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000209:etiology*; D019586:Intracranial Hypertension / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D016919:Meningitis, Cryptococcal / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents