Rifampin-impregnated silicone catheters: a potential tool for prevention and treatment of CSF shunt infections.

BACKGROUND: Infection continues to be one of the major complications of cerebro-spinal fluid shunting procedures. Recent insights in the pathophysiological mechanism of these foreign body infections have elucidated the difficulty of achieving successful treatment without device removal. The development of a rifampin-impregnated silicone catheter yielded excellent results in infection prevention and treatment in vitro as well as in an animal model. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Here, we describe the application of this device in two patients with a complicated course of shunt infection. RESULTS: In one patient the rifampin-impregnated shunt system was implanted after external drainage to prevent further infection. The shunt infection of the second patient was treated by replacement of the infected shunt system with a rifampin-impregnated device. Both patients recovered immediately without any signs of adverse effects and the two shunt systems have now been working properly for more than 36 and 21 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that rifampin-impregnated silicone catheters could become a valuable tool in the treatment and prevention of shunt infections.

[Recurrent hemorrhage from a duodenal ulcer in a 5-year-old healthy boy. A case report]. / Rezidivierende Blutung aus einem Ulcus duodeni bei einem 5jährigen gesunden Knaben. Ein Fallbericht.

Peptic ulcers in infants are rare. We report a 5-year-old boy who was admitted with recurrent bleeding from a huge duodenal ulcer. There were no concomitant disease and no preceding symptoms discovered. The only clinical symptom was bloody stool of light red color what led to diagnostic problems. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding was not considered initially. Short transit time through the gut may suggest a bleeding source within the lower intestine. Gastroscopy was performed delayed. Injection therapy of the ulcer once using fibrin sealant was followed by definite cessation of bleeding. Helicobacter pylori was not found. Hormone producing tumors could be excluded. There was a psycho-social situation of stress recognizable for the infant. The pathogenic mechanism of peptic ulceration due to psycho-social stress is unknown and somewhat doubtful at all. Peptic ulcer disease in infants and children should more often be considered when dealing with diffuse abdominal pain or with gastrointestinal bleeding.

[2 cases of pyloric atresia]. / Zwei Fälle von Pylorusatresie.

Two cases of pyloric atresia are presented. In the first case an isoperistaltic gastroenterostomia was performed with an atretic long segment. In the second child, pyloroplasty according to Finney was performed. The different possibilities of treatment are discussed.