Use of cerebrospinal fluid shunt for the management of elevated intracranial pressure in a patient with active AIDS-related cryptococcal meningitis

Authors
Mylonakis, E Merriman, NA Rich, JD Flanigan, TP Walters, BC Tashima, KT Mileno, MD van der Horst, CM
Citation
E. Mylonakis et al., Use of cerebrospinal fluid shunt for the management of elevated intracranial pressure in a patient with active AIDS-related cryptococcal meningitis, DIAG MICR I, 34(2), 1999, pp. 111-114
Citations number
19
Categorie Soggetti
Clinical Immunolgy & Infectious Disease",Microbiology
Journal title
DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
ISSN journal
07328893 → ACNP
Volume
34
Issue
2
Year of publication
1999
Pages
111 - 114
Database
ISI
SICI code
0732-8893(199906)34:2<111:UOCFSF>2.0.ZU;2-9
Abstract
Persistently elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is one of the most accura te predictors of a poor prognosis in patients with AIDS-related cryptococca l meningitis. We present a severe case of persistent cryptococcal meningiti s in a patient with advanced AIDS, complicated by elevation of ICP. A ventr iculoperitoneal shunt was placed that successfully lowered the ICP and alle viated the associated symptoms. The elevated ICP secondary to AIDS-related cryptococcol meningitis should be treated aggressively. Despite the risk of shunt complications, cerebrospinal fluid shunts can be considered in these patients if they do not respond to other treatment. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scie nce Inc.