Document Type
Article
Original Publication Date
1984
Journal/Book/Conference Title
The New England Journal of Medicine
Volume
310
DOI of Original Publication
10.1056/NEJM198403013100903
Date of Submission
January 2015
Abstract
We conducted a prospective epidemiologic study of ventriculostomy-related infections (ventriculitis or meningitis) in 172 consecutive neurosurgical patients over a two-year period to determine the incidence, risk factors, and clinical characteristics of the infections. Ventriculitis or meningitis developed in 19 of 172 patients (11 per cent) undergoing a total of 213 ventriculostomies. When data from all these cases plus five cases of nonventriculostomy-related infection were combined, cerebrospinal-fluid pleocytosis was more significantly associated with the diagnosis of ventriculitis or meningitis (P<0.0001) than were fever and leukocytosis (P = 0.07). Risk factors for ventriculostomy-related infections included intracerebral hemorrhage with intraventricular hemorrhage (P = 0.027), neurosurgical operations (P = 0.016), intracranial pressure of 20 mm Hg or more (P = 0.019), ventricular catheterization for more than five days (P = 0.017), and irrigation of the system (P = 0.021). Previous ventriculostomy did not increase the risk of infection with subsequent procedures. We conclude that ventriculostomy-related infections may be prevented by maintenance of a closed drainage system and by early removal of the ventricular catheter. If monitoring is required for more than five days, the catheter should be removed and inserted at a different site. (N Engl J Med 1984; 310:553–9.)
Rights
From The New England Journal of Medicine, Mayhall, C. G., Archer, N. H., Lamb, V. A. et al., Ventriculostomy-Related Infections, Vol. 310, Page 553, Copyright © 1984 Massachusetts Medical Society. Reprinted with permission.
Is Part Of
VCU Medical Center Publications
Comments
Originally Published at http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJM198403013100903