title: Management of nosocomial external ventricular drain-related ventriculomeningitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neurocritical care patients requiring external ventricular drainage are at risk for the development of a device-related infection. Infection rate of external ventriculostomy catheters is high with reported incidences ranging from 5% up to more than 20%. Nosocomial ventriculitis or ventriculomeningitis are potential life-threatening conditions which may contribute to a permanent adverse outcome of the patient. Reducing morbidity and mortality is strongly dependent on prompt diagnosis and on the initiation of appropriate antiinfective therapy.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Management of nosocomial ventriculitis is challenging and needs to consider the most likely pathogens involved, local resistance patterns, the nature of the underlying disease, patient factors such as age, comorbidity, and immune status. Further, decisions on catheter exchange and the type and duration of systemic or local antimicrobial therapy have to be made. Because so many factors have to be taken into account, it is evident that the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to nosocomial ventriculitis is difficult to standardize. Staphylococci are the pathogens most frequently identified in nosocomial ventriculitis. Therefore, initial treatment with an antistaphylococcal agent with adequate cerebrospinal fluid penetration may be considered as first-line therapy for this infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the review of a contemporary case we will discuss important issues in the management of device-related ventriculitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Neurological Intensive Care Unit, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Ronny
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beer
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pfausler
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schmutzhard
mesh_terms: D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007710:Klebsiella Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014696:Ventriculostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*