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E. coli meningitis as an indicator of intestinal perforation by V-P shunt tube

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Abstract

Shunting systems widly used for the treatment of hydrocephalus have been connected with certain risks and potential complications which stem from implanting a non-biological material into the human body. Several complications have been reported to arise from the insertion of ventriculo-peritoneal shunts.

This short report highlights the observation that when anaerobic meningitis together with gram negative E. Coli in the CSF of a V-P shunted patient is found, bowel perforation should be assumed. Four cases developed such a complication among 643 hydrocephalic patients of various etiology over a period of ten years.

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Ibrahim, A.W.M. E. coli meningitis as an indicator of intestinal perforation by V-P shunt tube. Neurosurg. Rev. 21, 194–197 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02389332

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02389332

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