External Ventricular Drainage Infections Rates: Clinic Experiences

In this study, we aimed to evaluate patients who develop ventriculostomy requirements and to evaluate the external ventricular drainage infection rates retrospectively at our clinic. In the study, dates between January 2012 and 2014, patients who were inserted external ventricular drainage with different indications were examined retrospectively. By using the medical record system, patients’ demographics (age, sex), diagnostic, ventriculostomy indications and ventriculostomy time had been reached. By accessing laboratory data, the patients’ cultures of cerebrospinal fluids biochemical tests were analyzed retrospectively. Within the period of the study, 20 in 117 patients with external ventricular drainage were not included the study because of shunt infection and shunt occlusion of extracted patients. During the treatment period 148 EVD were inserted to 97 patients. The number of male patients was 53;the number of female patients was 44. When the reason of the examined patients’ using external ventricular drainage was analyzed, 55% hemorrhagic cerebrovascular diseases, (subarachnoid hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage, cerebellar hemorrhage, traumatic intracranial injury), 24.7% tumor induced use, 7.4% central nervous system infections (menengitis, apse), and 12.4% occlusive cerebrovascular diseases (hydrocephalus or brain edema that were developed after the infarct) were seen. During the course of our study, 23% of the surveyed 97 patients had leukocytosis. CFT culture of 12 patients found positive. In CFT cultures mostly coagulase-negative staphylococcus growth took place. Eventually, when we compare our infection proportions to the international literature, very large differences were not observed. Except for revisioned patients, no other criteria were found that increased the rate of infection. We think that a rigorous pre-operative preparation and a regular maintenance of external ventricular drainage may reduce the rate of infection.

Is External Ventricular Drainage Life-Saving in Cerebellar Hemorrhages?

Background: The treatment of cerebellar hemorrhage (CH) may be different surgery or conservative according to the hematoma volume, compression of vital structures or hydrocephalus existence. In the present study, the authors investigated the risk factors, the indications and the situation of external ventricular drainage (EVD) on the treatment line. Methods: 63 pure cerebellar hemorrhage patients were enrolled in the study. 36 cases underwent surgery;the other 27 were received conservative treatment. 15 and 13 cases received EVD in both groups. Hospital stay and mortality rates were investigated. Results: 4 cases in the conservative group underwent surgery secondary to treatment failure. Both of the groups had equal rates of morbidity and mortality. On the other hand, the group that received surgical intervention had shorter median hospital stay. The EVD does not seem to be life-saving at first but it gives time for preparing for surgery. Conclusions: We found that CH was strongly associated with early hydrocephalus and mortality. The early diagnosis and surgical evacuation of the mass are mandatory and life-saving if hematoma is larger than 10 ml. The EVD may not being a life-saving instrument but majorly it may be a time earning device if acute hydrocephalus present.

Outcomes of high-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients treated with coiling and ventricular intracranial pressure monitoring

BACKGROUND High-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a devastating disease with a low favorable outcome.Elevated intracranial pressure is a substantial feature of high-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage that can result to secondary brain injury.Early control of intracranial pressure including decompressive craniectomy and external ventricular drainage had been reported to be associated with improved outcomes.But in recent years,little is known whether external ventricular drainage and intracranial pressure monitoring after coiling could improve outcomes in high-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.AIM To investigate the outcomes of high-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with coiling and ventricular intracranial pressure monitoring.METHODS A retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of high-grade patients treated between Jan 2016 and Jun 2017 was performed.In our center,followed by continuous intracranial pressure monitoring,the use of ventricular pressure probe for endovascular coiling and invasive intracranial pressure monitoring in the acute phase is considered to be the first choice for the treatment of high-grade patients.We retrospectively analyzed patient characteristics,radiological features,intracranial pressure monitoring parameters,complications,mortality and outcome.RESULTS A total of 36 patients were included,and 32(88.89%)survived.The overall mortality rate was 11.11%.No patient suffered from aneurysm re-rupture.The intracranial pressure in 33 patients(91.67%)was maintained within the normal range by ventricular drainage during the treatment.A favorable outcome was achieved in 18 patients(50%)with 6 mo follow-up.Delayed cerebral ischemia and Glasgow coma scale were considered as significant predictors of outcome(2.066 and-0.296,respectively,P<0.05).CONCLUSION Ventricular intracranial pressure monitoring may effectively maintain the intracranial pressure within the normal range.Despite the small number of cases in the current work,high-grade patients may benefit from a combination therapy of early coiling and subsequent ventricular intracranial pressure monitoring.

Advances in surgical treatment of intraventricular hemorrhage

Intraventricular hemorrhage(IVH)is a dangerous acute cerebrovascular disease.The 30-day mortality rate of patients with IVH is 5 times that of patients with cerebral hemorrhage.In recent years,more and more studies have shown that timely clearance of intraventricular hematoma is closely related to good prognosis.The advantages of surgical intervention in patient management are impressive.This article briefly reviews the positive advances in the surgical treatment of IVH such as external ventricular drainage(EVD)combined with intraventricular fibrinolysis(IVF)and continuous lumbar cistern drainage(LCD),as well as their safety and efficacy,especially the remarkable role of neuroendoscopy in the removal of intraventricular hematomas.