Vanadium administration ameliorates cortical structural and functional changes in juvenile hydrocephalic mice.

Vanadium is a prevalent neurotoxic transition metal with therapeutic potentials in some neurological conditions. Hydrocephalus poses a major clinical burden in neurological practice in Africa. Its primary treatment (shunting) has complications, including infection and blockage; alternative drug-based therapies are therefore necessary. This study investigates the function and cytoarchitecture of motor and cerebellar cortices in juvenile hydrocephalic mice following treatment with varying doses of vanadium. Fifty juvenile mice were allocated into five groups (n = 10 each): controls, hydrocephalus-only, low- (0.15 mg/kg), moderate- (0.3 mg/kg), and high- (3.0 mg/kg) dose vanadium groups. Hydrocephalus was induced by the intracisternal injection of kaolin and sodium metavanadate administered by intraperitoneal injection 72hourly for 28 days. Neurobehavioral tests: open field, hanging wire, and pole tests, were carried out to assess locomotion, muscular strength, and motor coordination, respectively. The cerebral motor and the cerebellar cortices were processed for cresyl violet staining and immunohistochemistry for neurons (NeuN) and astrocytes (glial fibrillary acidic protein). Hydrocephalic mice exhibited body weight loss and behavioral deficits. Horizontal and vertical movements and latency to fall from hanging wire were significantly reduced, while latency to turn and descend the pole were prolonged in hydrocephalic mice, suggesting impaired motor ability; this was improved in vanadium-treated mice. Increased neuronal count, pyknotic cells, neurodegeneration and reactive astrogliosis were observed in the hydrocephalic mice. These were mostly mitigated in the vanadium-treated mice, except in the high-dose group where astrogliosis persisted. These results demonstrate a neuroprotective potential of vanadium administration in hydrocephalus. The molecular basis of these effects needs further exploration.

Utilization trends in cerebrospinal fluid shunt infection prevention techniques in the United States from 2007 to 2015.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe trends in the utilization of infection prevention techniques (standard care, intrathecal [IT] antibiotics, antibiotic-impregnated catheters [AICs], and combination of IT antibiotics and AICs) among participating hospitals over time. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study at six large children's hospitals between 2007 and 2015 included children ≤ 18 years of age who underwent initial shunt placement between 2007 and 2012. Pediatric Health Information System + (PHIS+) data were augmented with chart review data for all shunt surgeries that occurred prior to the first shunt infection. The Pearson chi-square test was used to test for differences in outcomes. RESULTS: In total, 1723 eligible children had initial shunt placement between 2007 and 2012, with 3094 shunt surgeries through 2015. Differences were noted between hospitals in gestational age, etiology of hydrocephalus, and race and ethnicity, but not sex, weight at surgery, and previous surgeries. Utilization of infection prevention techniques varied across participating hospitals. Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network hospitals used more IT antibiotics in 2007-2011; after 2012, increasing adoption of AICs was observed in most hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: A consistent trend of decreasing IT antibiotic use and increased AIC utilization was observed after 2012, except for hospital B, which consistently used AICs.

Corticosteroid treatment for acute hydrocephalus in neurosarcoidosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Neurosarcoidosis occurs symptomatically in 5-10% of patients with sarcoidosis, and hydrocephalus is a rare complication of neurosarcoidosis, with either acute or subacute onset and presenting symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure. It represents a potentially fatal manifestation with a mortality rate of 22% (increased to 75% in case of coexistence of seizures) that requires a prompt initiation of treatment. High-dose intravenous corticosteroid treatment and neurosurgical treatment must be considered in all cases of neurosarcoidosis hydrocephalus. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we present a case of hydrocephalus in neurosarcoidosis, complicated by generalized seizures, in a 29-year-old Caucasian male patient treated with medical treatment only, with optimal response. CONCLUSION: Since neurosurgery treatment can lead to severe complications, this case report underlines the possibility to undergo only medical treatment in selected cases. Further studies are needed to stratify patients and better identify those eligible for only medical approach.

A multicenter clinical epidemiology of pediatric pneumococcal meningitis in China: results from the Chinese Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis Surveillance (CPBMS) 2019-2020.

Objective: To analyze the clinical epidemiological characteristics including clinical features, disease prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis (PM), and drug sensitivity of S. pneumoniae isolates in Chinese children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical, laboratory microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children less than 15 years of age with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals in China. Results: A total of 160 PM patients were diagnosed, including 103 males and 57 females The onset age was 15 days to 15 years old, and the median age was 1 year and 3 months. There were 137 cases (85.6%) in the 3 months to <5 years age group, especially in the 3 months to <3 years age group (109 cases, 68.2%); S. pneumoniae was isolated from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture in 95(35.6%), and 57(35.6%) in blood culture. The positive rates of S. pneumoniae detection by CSF metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS)and antigen detection method were 40.2% (35/87) and 26.9% (21/78). Fifty-five cases (34.4%) had one or more predisposing factors of bacterial meningitis; and 113 cases (70.6%) had one or more extracranial infection diseases Fever (147, 91.9%) was the most common clinical symptom, followed by vomiting (61, 38.1%) and altered mental status (47,29.4%). Among 160 children with PM, the main intracranial imaging complications were subdural effusion and (or) empyema in 43 cases (26.9%), hydrocephalus in 24 cases (15.0%), cerebral abscess in 23 cases (14.4%), intracranial hemorrhage in 8 cases (5.0%), and other cerebrovascular diseases in 13 cases (8.1%) including encephalomalacia, cerebral infarction, and encephalatrophy. Subdural effusion and (or) empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children < 1 years old (90.7% (39/43) and 83.3% (20/24), respectively). 17 cases with PM (39.5%) had more than one intracranial imaging abnormality. S. pneumoniae isolates were completely sensitive to vancomycin (100.0%, 75/75), linezolid (100.0%,56/56), ertapenem (6/6); highly sensitive to levofloxacin (81.5%, 22/27), moxifloxacin (14/17), rifampicin (96.2%, 25/26), and chloramphenicol (91.3%, 21/23); moderately sensitive to cefotaxime (56.1%, 23/41), meropenem (51.1%, 23/45) and ceftriaxone (63.5, 33/52); less sensitive to penicillin (19.6%, 27/138) and clindamycin (1/19); completely resistant to erythromycin (100.0%, 31/31). The cure and improvement rate were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.3% (106/160), respectively. 18 cases (11.3%) had an adverse outcome, including 6 cases withdrawing treatment therapy, 5 cases unhealed, 5 cases died, and 2 recurrences. S. pneumoniae was completely susceptible to vancomycin (100.0%, 75/75), linezolid (100.0%, 56/56), and ertapenem (6/6); susceptible to cefotaxime, meropenem, and ceftriaxone in the order of 56.1% (23/41), 51.1% (23/45), and 63.5 (33/52); completely resistant to erythromycin (100.0%, 31/31). Conclusion: Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to < 3 years old. Intracranial complications mostly occur in children < 1 year of age with fever being the most common clinical manifestations and subdural effusion and (or) empyema and hydrocephalus being the most common complications, respectively. CSF non-culture methods can facilitate improving the detection rate of pathogenic bacteria. More than 10% of PM children had adverse outcomes. S. pneumoniae strains are susceptible to vancomycin, linezolid, ertapenem, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, rifampicin, and chloramphenicol.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection by Cryptococcus neoformans sensu stricto: Case report and literature review

BackgroundCryptococcal ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection is known to occur due to an underlying infection in the patient rather than by nosocomial transmission of Cryptococcus during shunt placement. A case of chronic hydrocephalus due to cryptococcal meningitis that was misdiagnosed as tuberculous meningitis is described.Case reportPatient details were extracted from charts and laboratory records. The identification of the isolate was confirmed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism of the orotodine monophosphate pyrophosphorylase (URA5) gene. Antifungal susceptibility was determined using the CLSI M27-A3 broth microdilution method. Besides, a Medline search was performed to review all cases of Cryptococcus ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection. Cryptococcus neoformans sensu stricto (formerly Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii), mating-type MATα was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid and external ventricular drain tip. The isolate showed low minimum inhibitory concentrations for voriconazole (0.06mg/l), fluconazole (8mg/l), isavuconazole (<0.015mg/l), posaconazole (<0.03mg/l), amphotericin B (<0.06mg/l) and 5-fluorocytosine (1mg/l). The patient was treated with intravenous amphotericin B deoxycholate, but died of cardiopulmonary arrest on the fifteenth postoperative day.ConclusionsThis report underlines the need to rule out a Cryptococcus infection in those cases of chronic meningitis with hydrocephalus. (AU)

AntecedentesLa infección criptocócica por contaminación de las derivaciones ventriculoperitoneales es una complicación que puede tener lugar en el paciente previamente infectado más que deberse a una transmisión nosocomial de Cryptococcus durante la colocación del dispositivo. Se describe un caso de hidrocefalia crónica por meningitis criptocócica que se diagnosticó erróneamente como meningitis tuberculosa.Caso clínicoLos datos del paciente se extrajeron de la historia clínica y de los registros de laboratorio. La identificación del aislamiento se confirmó mediante PCR de polimorfismo de longitud de fragmento de restricción del gen de la orotodina monofosfato pirofosforilasa (URA5). La sensibilidad a los antifúngicos se realizó mediante el método de microdilución en caldo CLSI M27-A3. Se realizó, además, una búsqueda en Medline para revisar todos los casos de infección por Cryptococcus asociados a derivación ventriculoperitoneal. Se aisló Cryptococcus neoformans sensu stricto (antes Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii), tipo MATα, del líquido cefalorraquídeo y de la punta del drenaje extraventricular. El aislamiento mostró, in vitro, valores bajos de concentración mínima inhibitoria para el voriconazol (0,06mg/l), el fluconazol (8mg/l), el isavuconazol (<0,015mg/l), el posaconazol (<0,03mg/l), la anfotericina B (<0,06mg/l) y la 5-fluorocitocina (1mg/l). El paciente fue tratado con anfotericina B desoxicolato intravenoso, pero falleció por parada cardiopulmonar el decimoquinto día del postoperatorio.ConclusionesNuestro caso subraya la necesidad de descartar la presencia de Cryptococcus en los casos de meningitis crónica con hidrocefalia. (AU)

Medical therapy using omeprazole in 12 hydrocephalic dogs: clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic findings / Terapia médica utilizando omeprazol em 12 cães hidrocefálicos: achados clínicos, diagnósticos e terapêuticos

According to experimental studies with healthy dogs, omeprazole might decrease the CSF production by about 26%; therefore, book texts have been suggested the usage of omeprazole in medical protocols for hydrocephalus treatment. However, to the best knowledge of the authors, the usage and medical response of the omeprazole with substantial group of illness dogs, such as hydrocephalic animals, was lacking. This report describes clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic findings in 12 dogs with hydrocephalus in which omeprazole were used for medical treatment. The diagnosis of hydrocephalus was accomplished by transcranial sonography (TCS) and/or computed tomography. The ventricular measurement was assessed periodically by TCS during medical treatment. Six dogs were diagnosed with non-obstrutive hydrocephalus and in the other 6 cases hydrocephalus occurred with other concomitant anomalous encephalic disease often related with obstructive hysdrocephalus, such as quadrigeminal cist, arachnoid cyst, chiary-like malformation, and syringomyelia. All of them had medical improvement after the use of omeprazole and the most of the cases had ventricular size reduction. In 10 dogs, the omeprazole was used as single drug, and in 2 dogs medical treatment with steroids and/or diuretics was previously being performed, and omeprazole was added because conventional treatment was resulting in mild to unsatisfactory medical control of the neurological status. The results of this paper shown that omeprazole may be used to ameliorate the neurological status in symptomatic hydrocephalic dogs. This work may represent the first description about the use of omeprazole in order to treat a substantial group of affected dogs with suspected increased intracranial pressure by hydrocephalus, probably due to limitation of CSF production.(AU)

O omeprazol diminui a produção do fluido cerebrospinal (FCE) por cerca de 26% de acordo com estudos experimentais em cães saudáveis. Segundo o conhecimento dos autores, embora utilizado na prática clínica e recomendado em livros textos, não há até o momento estudos clínicos em um grupo substancial de animais avaliando a resposta terapêutica ao uso do omeprazol em pacientes enfermos, tais como cães hidrocefálicos sintomáticos. Este trabalho descreve os achados clínicos, diagnósticos e terapêuticos em 12 cães com hidrocefalia que foram submetidos ao tratamento com omeprazol para o manejo médico de hidrocefalia. O diagnóstico de hidrocefalia e doenças neurológicas concomitantes foi realizado por ultrassonografia transcraniana (USTC) e/ou tomografia computadorizada. A mensuração do tamanho ventricular foi realizada pela USTC durante o tratamento médico. Seis cães foram diagnosticados com hidrocefalia não obstrutiva e os outros 6 casos apresentaram hidrofalia concomitante com outras afecções encefálicas anômalas comumente associada à hidrocefalia obstrutiva, tal como cisto quadrigêmio, cisto aracnóide, síndrome de chiari-like e seringomegalia. Em 10 cães o omeprazol foi utilizado como droga única e em 2 cães a terapia inicial foi a convencional utilizando esteroides e diuréticos, e o omeprazol foi adicionado, pois a resposta clínica a terapia convencional foi insatisfatória. Todos os animais obtiveram melhora dos parâmetros neurológicos e a maioria teve uma redução do tamanho ventricular após o uso do omeprazol. Os resultados deste estudo demonstram que o omeprazol pode ser utilizado para melhorar o estado neurológico em cães com hidrocefalia. Este estudo representa a primeira descrição clínica usando o omeprazol para tratar uma série de cães com suspeita de aumento da pressão intracraniana devido à hidrocefalia, provavelmente pela capacidade do fármaco em limitar a produção do FCE.(AU)

Effect of Albendazole Treatment in an Experimental Model of Neurocysticercosis-Induced Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is a major concern in neurocysticercosis (NCC), and its management is more challenging than that of hydrocephalus caused by other etiologies. Even though albendazole is a well-established drug for the treatment of NCC, the death of the parasites may worsen the clinical symptoms and eventually, deteriorate the course of hydrocephalus. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of treatment with albendazole on the course of hydrocephalus as well as on animal behavior in a ratmodel of NCC-induced hydrocephalus in order to verify whether the course of hydrocephalus and the animal behavior were changed. Ventricle volumes before and after treatment showed a slight but non-statistically significant difference (168.11 mm3 versus 184.98 mm3, p » 0.45). The distribution and location of the cysts were unaffected. In addition, the behavioral patterns before and after the treatment were not significantly different, as assessed by the open field test. On histologic assessment, mononuclear leukocyte infiltration was present in diverse sites, such as the perivascular and peri-ependymal regions, choroid plexus, and meningeal membranes. A positive correlation was found between the degree of ventricle enlargement and tissue damage. Further studies with long-term comparisons are required.

Corrección intrauterina de mielomeningocele: experiencia del programa de medicina y terapia fetal del Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío / Intrauterine myelomeningocele repair: Experience of the fetal medicine and therapy program of the Virgen de Rocío University Hospital

La forma más frecuente de espina bífida es el mielomeningocele, para el que no existe un tratamiento postnatal óptimo. Además del trastorno motor o sensitivo dependiente del nivel de la lesión, los niños suelen tener asociada la malformación de Arnold Chiari ii. El mielomeningocele presenta una alta mortalidad y puede acompañarse, hasta en el 80-90%, de hidrocefalia que es responsable de la gran afectación neurocognitiva, precisando de derivación para su supervivencia. La reparación intrauterina de malformaciones fetales mediante acceso abierto a través de histerotomía se ha convertido en una opción terapéutica gracias a la mejora de las técnicas quirúrgicas y anestésicas, y de la correspondiente instrumentación, que han convertido este tipo de intervenciones en una práctica relativamente frecuente. El tratamiento anestésico debe orientarse tanto a la madre como al feto, siendo importante mantener controlados los factores hemodinámicos que regulan el flujo placentario, la dinámica uterina, las pérdidas sanguíneas y el bienestar fetal. Dentro de nuestro Programa de Medicina y Terapia Fetal se han realizado 21 procedimientos de cirugía fetal abierta, 17 procedimientos EXIT y 4 procedimientos para la corrección intrauterina de mielomeningocele fetal. Describimos nuestra experiencia en la corrección intrauterina de mielomeningocele fetal mediante cirugía fetal abierta (AU)

The most frequent form of spina bifida is myelomeningocele. There is no optimal postnatal treatment for this defect. In addition to the motor or sensory deficits, which depend on the location of the lesion, the defect is usually associated with Chiari ii malformation in affected children. Myelomeningocele has high mortality and, in up to 80% to 90% of patients, can be accompanied by hydrocephalus, which causes severe neurocognitive impairment and requires the patient to be shunted for survival. Intrauterine repair of fetal malformations employing open access through hysterotomy has become a therapeutic option due to improved anesthetic and surgical techniques and instrumentation, which have allowed this type of intervention to become relatively frequent. Anesthetic treatment should focus on both the mother and fetus and the hemodynamic factors regulating placental flow, uterine dynamics, blood loss and fetal well-being must remain well-controlled. Within our Program for Fetal Medicine and Therapy, 21 open fetal interventions have been performed: 17 EXIT procedures and 4 procedures for the intrauterine correction of fetal myelomeningocele. We describe our experience of the intrauterine repair of fetal myelomeningocele through open fetal surgery (AU)

Successful treatment of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus ventriculitis in a child

Enterococci are an uncommon cause of CNS infection. A 20 month-old boy, diagnosed with hydrocephalus with ventriculoperitoneal shunt and history of lengthy hospitalization and use of wide spectrum antibiotics, was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit diagnosed with ventriculitis. On the 14th day of empirical antibiotic therapy (vancomycin and meropenem) the child presented fever while the CSF sample culture evidenced vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. The patient received intravenous linezolid achieving cerebrospinal fluid sterilization. Conclusion: Intravenous linezolid appears to be a safe and effective therapy for vancomycin-resistant enterococcus ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection.

Clinical experience with linezolid for the treatment of neurosurgical infections

Introducción: Evaluar el uso clínico de linezolid en el tratamiento de las infecciones neuroquirúrgicas. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo observacional de una cohorte de pacientes hospitalizados que recibieron linezolid para tratamiento de infecciones neuroquirúrgicas con cultivo positivo, desde Julio de 2004 a febrero de 2009 en un hospital terciario español. Resultados: En el estudio se incluyeron 17 pacientes. Las principales comorbilidades fueron una o más de las siguientes: hemorragia subaracnoidea o intraventricular (n= 8), tumor sólido neurológico (n= 7), corticoides (n= 9) e hidrocefalia ( n= 6). Ocho pacientes fueron sometidos a craneotomía y 14 tenían un drenaje ventricular externo (EVD) como factor predisponente de infección. La meningitis fue la infección más común (11; 64,7%), seguida de ventriculitis (4; 23,5%) y absceso cerebral (2; 11,8%). El principal agente causal fue Staphylococcus spp coagulasa negativa (13; 76,5%). Linezolid fue usado como tratamiento incicial en 8 episodios, tras fracaso en 6 y por otras razones en 3. La vía oral fue usada en 9 (52,9%) episodios, de forma inicial en 2 casos. La duración media del tratamiento fue de 26,5 días (rango 15-58). No se observaron efectos adversos. Dieciseís pacientes (94,1%) fueron considerados curados. Hubo una recurrencia. La estancia media en el hospital fue de 45,6 (rango 15-112) días y la duración media del seguimiento fue de 7,2 (rango 0,4-32) meses. No hubo muertes relacionadas con los episodios activos. Coclusiones: Linezolid fue principalmente indicado en las infecciones postquirúrgicas asociadas a EVD por Staphylococcus spp coagulasa negativa. Fue inicialmente usado en la mayoría de los casos. Una alta tasa de curación clínica fue observada y no se detectaron efectos adversos. Más de la mitad de los pacientes se beneficiaron de las ventajas de la vía oral(AU)

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the clinical use of linezolid for the treatment of neurosurgical infections. Methods: Retrospective observational study of a cohort of hospitalized patients who received linezolid for a culture-positive neurosurgical infection from July 2004 to February 2009 in a tertiary hospital in Spain. Results: Seventeen patients were included in the study. Main comorbidities among these patients included one or more of the following: subarachnoidal or intraventricular hemorrhage (n=8), solid neurological cancer (n=7), corticosteroids (n=9) and hydrocephalus (n=6). Eight patients underwent a craniotomy and fourteen patients had an external ventricular drainage (EVD) as predisposing factors for infection. Meningitis was the most common infection (11; 64.7%), followed by ventriculitis (4; 23.5%) and brain abscesses (2; 11.8%). The main causative organisms were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. (13; 76.5%). Linezolid was used as the initial therapy in 8 episodes, after therapy failure in 6 and for other reasons in 3. The oral route was used in 9 (52.9%) episodes; linezolid was initiated orally in 2 cases. The mean duration of treatment was 26.5 days (range 15-58). No adverse events were reported. Sixteen (94.1%) patients were considered cured. There was one recurrence. The mean length of hospital stay was 45.6 (range 15-112) days and the mean duration of follow- up was 7.2 (range 0.4-32) months. No related deaths occurred during active episodes. Conclusions: Linezolid was mainly indicated in post-neurosurgical EVD-associated infections due to coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. It was used as initial therapy in most cases. A high rate of clinical cure was observed and no related adverse events were reported. More than half of the patients were benefited by the advantages of the oral route of administration(AU)

Aspectos terapéuticos en las hidrocefalias de la infancia / Therapeutic aspects of the childhood hydrocephalus

Se realiza una revisión sobre los aspectos terapéuticos de las hidrocefalias infantiles. A efectos de exposición, se sistematiza en los siguientes apartados: tratamiento quirúrgico, vendaje elástico, tratamiento farmacológico y conducta expectante, basada en una serie de criterios de autocompensación, y se concluye con algunas reflexiones sobre su pronóstico (AU)

We carry out a review about the therapeutic aspects of the childhood hydrocephalus. To be able to visualize, the description has been divided into the following groups: surgical treatment, compressive head wrapping, pharmacological treatment, and spontaneous improvement based on self-compensated criteria; and we conclude with some reflections about its prognostic (AU)

Resolución completa de hidrocefalia crónica del adulto con acetazolamida / Complete resolution of chronic hydrocephalus of adult with acetazolamide

No disponible

Hidrocefalia crónica obstructiva por histoplasmosis meningo-cerebral / Chronic obstructive hydrocephalus due to meningeal and cerebral histoplasmosis

El presente caso describe un caso de histoplasmosis del sistema nervioso central con hidrocefalia obstructiva, que ha estado presente durante 8 años sin mayores secuelas o evidencias clínicas de infección activa en otros órganos, en un huésped inmunocompatible. La punción lumbar y el análisis del líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) revelaron un elevado nivel de proteínas, linfocitosis e hipoglucorraquia. Los títulos de fijación de complementos séricos y del LCR para histoplasma fueron positivos. La tomografía computada (TC) demostró que existía hidrocefalia y dos lesiones periventriculares con un marcado refuerzo con contraste. Se inició el tratamiento con altas dosis de ketoconazol y a continuación se administró fluconazol con una mejoría parcial del estado clínico y los valores de LCR. Finalmente se le practicó al paciente un tratamiento con anfotericina mostrando una completa remisión clínica, pero sin curación con valores variables en los controles de seguimiento a largo plazo de los títulos de complemento sérico y del LCR. En la actualidad, el paciente permanece asintomático y está tratado con itraconazol oral