Central Nervous System Device Infections

Nosocomial meningitis can occur in association with central nervous system (CNS) devices such as cerebrospinal shunts or drains, intrathecal pumps, and deep brain stimulators and carry substantial morbidity and mortality. Diagnosing and treating these infections may be challenging to physicians as cerebrospinal fluid cultures may be negative due to previous antibiotic therapy and cerebrospinal abnormalities may be secondary to the primary neurosurgical issue that prompted the placement of the CNS device (e.g., “chemical meningitis” due to intracranial hemorrhage). Besides antibiotic therapy given intravenously and sometimes intrathecally, removal of the device with repeat cultures prior to re-implantation is key in achieving successful outcomes.