title: Lumbar puncture drainage with intrathecal injection of amphotericin B for control of cryptococcal meningitis.
abstract: Cryptococcal meningitis is a disease with high mortality and refractory to intravenous antifungal treatments with agents such as amphotericin B and fluconazole. We investigated lumbar puncture catheter drainage with an intrathecal injection of amphotericin B as a treatment for cryptococcal meningitis. All of the 14 patients enrolled in the treatment group survived with no evidence of relapse during 1-year follow-up. Complications included lumbosacral nerve root irritation in seven patients and urinary retention in seven patients. This study demonstrated that the technique used was effective in controlling the symptoms. The major complications disappeared after discontinuation of intrathecal injection of amphotericin B or with low-dose therapy. Therefore, this technique could be an effective and safe method for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yuchong
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jianghan
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hai
authors.forename: Gu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Julin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004322:Drainage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008297:Male; D016919:Meningitis, Cryptococcal / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000139:chemically induced; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000139:chemically induced; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B