Ventriculitis refers to inflammation of the ventricular system. It can be diagnosed by obtaining cerebrospinal fluid from an external ventricular drain placed in the ventricular system or by means of a lumbar puncture.
Diagnostic evaluation
MRI or CT imaging may provide evidence of ventriculitis. Ependymal enhancement on CT is suggestive of ventriculitis1. Definitive diagnosis, however, is established through analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid. In ventriculitis occurring in the setting of a neurosurgical procedure, leukocytes, glucose, and protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid can be assessed only to a limited extent, as both neurosurgical procedures and intracranial hemorrhage can cause abnormalities in these parameters2.
Treatment
Antibiotic treatment depends on the pathogen identified.
References