Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Rifampin-Impregnated Silicone Catheters: A Potential Tool for Prevention and Treatment of CSF Shunt Infections

  • Brief Report
  • Published:
Infection Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract.

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 rifampinimpregnated silicone catheters could become a valuable tool in the treatment and prevention of shunt infections.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Neurosurgery,University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann Str. 9, D-50924 Cologne, Germany. juergen.hampl@medizin.uni-koeln.de, , , , , , DE

    J.A. Hampl

  2. Clinic and Policlinic for Pediatric Surgery,Technical University of Dresden, Germany, , , , , , DE

    A. Weitzel & D. Roesner

  3. Clinic and Policlinic for Neurosurgery,Technical University of Dresden, Germany, , , , , , DE

    C. Bonk

  4. Dept. of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, University of Mainz, Germany, , , , , , DE

    W. Kohnen & B. Jansen

Authors
  1. J.A. Hampl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Weitzel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. C. Bonk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. W. Kohnen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. D. Roesner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. B. Jansen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Received: July 30, 2001 · Revision accepted: December 1, 2002

J. A. Hampl (corresponding author)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hampl, J., Weitzel, A., Bonk, C. et al. Rifampin-Impregnated Silicone Catheters: A Potential Tool for Prevention and Treatment of CSF Shunt Infections. Infection 31, 109–111 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-002-2113-2

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-002-2113-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation