We report the fifth case of shunt-related brain abscess. Two prior cases have been associated with colonic perforation and infection with gram-negative enteric organisms. These cases strongly suggest that ascending shunt infection is possible despite bulk cerebrospinal fluid flow in the opposite direction and add to our understanding of shunt infections. (J Child Neurol 1990;5:318-320).
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Frykberg T., Olsen L.: Infection as a cause of peritoneal catheter dysfunction in ventriculo-peritoneal shunting in children. Z Kinderchir1983;38(Suppl II):84-86.
2.
Wilson CB, Bertan V.: Perforation of the bowel complicating peritoneal shunt for hydrocephalus. Report of two cases. Am Surg1966;32:601-603.
3.
Sharma BS, Kak VK: Multiple subdural abscesses following colonic perforation—a rare complication of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Pediatr Radiol1988;18:407-408.
4.
Schulhof LA, Worth RM, Kalsbeck JE: Bowel perforation due to peritoneal shunt. A report of seven cases and a review of the literature. Surg Neurol1975;3:265-269.
5.
George R., Leibrock L., Epstein M.: Long-term analysis of cerebrospinal fluid shunt infections. A 25-year experience . J Neurosurg1979;51:804-811.
6.
Moseley IF, Kendall BE: Radiology of intracranial empyemas, with special reference to computed tomography . Neuroradiology1984;26:333-345.
7.
Korosue K., Tamaki N., Matsumoto S., et al: Intracranial granuloma as an unusual complication of subdural peritoneal shunt. J Neurosurg1981;55:136-138.
8.
Fischer G., Goebel H., Latta E.: Penetration of the colon by a ventriculo-peritoneal drain resulting in an intra-cerebral abscess. Zentralbl Neurochir1983;44:155-160.
9.
Fiume D., Parziale G., Simonetti G.: Ascesso cerebrale da shunt ventricolo-peritoneale. Riv Neurol1986;56:19-24.
10.
Holt RJ: Bacteriological studies on colonized ventriculo-atrial shunts. Dev Med Child Neurol1970;12(Suppl 22):83-87.
11.
Bayston R.: Microbial colonisation of cerebrospinal fluid shunts. Med Lab Sci1981;38:259-267.
12.
Gower DJ, Gower VC, Richardson SH, et al: Reduced bacterial adherence to silicone plastic neurosurgical prosthesis. Pediatr Neurosci1985- 1986;12:127-133.