The Pan African Medical Journal (Sep 2018)

Neuroendoscopic aspiration and lavage of intraventricular empyema following shunt infection in infants

  • Steven Tandean,
  • Lutfi Hendriansyah,
  • Stanislaus Djokomuljanto,
  • Nico Adi Saputra,
  • Andry Juliansen,
  • Silvia Valentina,
  • Monica Ann Mulry,
  • Julius July

DOI
https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2018.31.15.16631
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 31, no. 15

Abstract

Read online

Bacterial ventriculitis is one of the most common and serious complications of shunt placement. Shunt infection has varied management and is difficult to treat neurosurgically. We report a case of intraventricular empyema due to shunt infection. Standard management was failed for this case and reaccumulation of pus in the both ventricles. Neuroendoscopic surgery with intraventricular lavage and aspiration using cannula nasogastric tube (NGT) through a single burr hole, has successfully decreased the accumulation of intraventricular empyema. After lavage and aspiration, antibiotic can be distributed effectively to the affected area. Follow up imaging and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture shown a good result and shorter length of stay in the hospital. Neuroendoscopy appears effective and safe for the management of bacterial ventriculitis due to shunt infection in infant. The strategy described in this report might be useful to treat intraventricular empyema.

Keywords