Ventriculoperitoneal shunts for treating increased intracranial pressure in cryptococcal meningitis with or without ventriculomegaly

Abstract

Introduction: Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic mycosis, especially in patients that are human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV)-positive, and frequently involves the central nervous system. Methods: We assessed the potential of ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) in preventing mortality due to uncontrollable intracranial hypertension (ICH) in 15 patients with acquired immunodefi ciency syndrome (AIDS)-related cryptococcal meningitis. Results: After 2 weeks of antifungal therapy consisting of amphotericin B deoxycholate with or without fl uconazole, patients with persistent ICH underwent VPS, despite having persistent Cryptococcus neoformans infection. In 12 patients, the uncontrollable ICH was resolved by VPS. Conclusions: Patients with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis who have ICH must be considered for VPS even with positive cerebrospinal fl uid cultures.