CSF Shunt–Associated Infections in Adults

Cerebrospinal fluid shunt–associated infections in adults, like those in children, are often difficult to diagnose.

Investigators from a university hospital in Basel, Switzerland, performed a retrospective analysis of patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt–associated infections. The 11-year review extended through December 2006 and focused on adults, making it relatively unique among reported institutional case series.

For this study, an infection was considered to be associated with a CSF shunt if at least one of the following two criteria was fulfilled:

Growth of a pathogen in the CSF, on the shunt tip, or in wounds overlying the implanted shunt material (if the pathogen was interpreted as relevant)
Fever (temperature >38°C), headache, neck stiffness, cranial nerve signs, or irritability without another recognized cause; physician initiation of an …

Reviewing Author

Larry M. Baddour, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc. (Authorship duties)

Larry M. Baddour, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc. (Authorship duties)