Continuous intraventricular vancomycin for treatment of ventriculitis using IRRAflow®: A case report
Ryan M Hess1, Asham Khan1, Mallory Edwards2
1Department of Neurosurgery, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo and Buffalo General Medical Center, Kaleida Health, Buffalo, New York, United States.
Background:
Ventriculitis usually occurs as the result of infection and results in the inflammation of the ependymal lining of the ventricular system. Mortality rates remain high despite treatment.
Case Description:
We present the case of a 66-year-old man who presented with altered mental status and progressively became comatose. He was found to have fulminant ventriculitis due to a ruptured intracranial abscess. He was treated with bilateral IRRAflow® catheter (IRRAS, Stockholm, Sweden) placement through which continuous irrigation with vancomycin was initiated.
Conclusion:
This treatment was safe and led to improvement in the patient's neurologic examination, imaging findings, and cerebrospinal fluid profiles.
Insights
Continuous irrigation of ventriculitis with vancomycin via IRRAflow catheters safely improved a patient's neurologic status and infection markers. This approach offers a promising treatment for severe ventriculitis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Ventriculitis, inflammation of the ventricular system lining, often stems from infection.
- High mortality rates persist despite current treatment modalities for ventriculitis.
Observation:
- A 66-year-old male presented with altered mental status, progressing to coma.
- The patient was diagnosed with severe ventriculitis secondary to a ruptured intracranial abscess.
Findings:
- Treatment involved bilateral IRRAflow catheter placement for continuous vancomycin irrigation.
- The intervention demonstrated safety and efficacy, improving neurologic examination, imaging, and cerebrospinal fluid profiles.
Implications:
- Continuous intraventricular vancomycin irrigation is a viable therapeutic option for severe ventriculitis.
- This method may reduce mortality and improve outcomes in complex central nervous system infections.
