Clinical efficacy of long tunneled external ventricular drainage for patients with tuberculous meningitis complicated with hydrocephalus
ZHANG Sheng-kun
TANG Zhong
CHEN Qi-fu
ZHANG Ming-fu
CHEN Si
DONG Bai-jing
CHU Ming
Abstract：Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of long tunneled external ventricular drainage(EVD for patients with tuberculous meningitis complicated with hydrocephalus.Methods The clinical data of 20 patients of tuberculous meningitis associated with hydrocephalus admitted from December 2019 to November 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients received long tunneled EVD,and anti-tuberculosis therapy was continued after the operation.Once the hydrocephalus was alleviated,based on the catheter closure test and cerebrospinal fluid laboratory results,the necessity of ventriculoperitoneal shunt was determined.Results The indwelling time of the extraventricular drainage tube in the 20 patients ranged from 18 to 55 days,with an average of(31.4±8.70)days.During the drainage period,there was no tube oclussion or cerebrospinal fluid leakage.Nine patients(45%)were cured and 11(55%)improved.Conclusion When surgical intervention is necessary for tuberculous meningitis associated with hydrocephalus,long tunneled EVD is an effective approach that can reduce intracranial pressure,alleviate hydrocephalus,prolong the placement time of the ventricular drainage tube,and secure sufficient time for anti-tuberculosis drug treatment.
Keywords：Tuberculous meningitisHydrocephalusExtracranial ventricular drainageClinical efficacyLong tunneled drainage
Publication Date：2025-01-25
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 6-9,14 )