Cerebral vasospasm in shunt infection
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Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus
Published on: October 14, 2022
Martin H Deininger1, Ansgar Berlis, Juergen Buttler
1Department of General Neurosurgery, University of Freiburg Medical School, Breisacher Str. 64, Freiburg 79106, Germany. martin.deininger@uni-tuebingen.de
Objective:
In bacterial shunt infection, CNS inflammation is a frequently observed complication that may cause vascular complications including vasospasms. Here, we describe the first patient with shunt infection-induced cerebral vasospasms.
Methods:
A 35 year old woman with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt that was implanted years before developed facial nerve palsy and somnolence one week before admission to the hospital.
Results:
After admission, the shunt was removed, and an external ventricular drainage was inserted. Microbiological analyses revealed coagulase-negative Staphylococcus on abdominal and cranial catheters. Follow-up NMR showed infarctions. Transcranial doppler sonography and cerebral arteriography revealed severe generalized cerebral vasospasms. Inspite of triple-H therapy and intraarterial spasmolysis, bilateral anterior and media artery infarction evolved. The patient was dismissed in a vegetative state.
Conclusions:
This case shows that severe cerebral vasospasms are a serious complication in patients with bacterial shunt infection that should be considered in patients, that don't improve following adequate antibiotic treatment.
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