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Lumbar puncture drainage with intrathecal injection of amphotericin B for control of cryptococcal meningitis
Author(s) -
Yuchong Chen,
Jianghan Chen,
Hai Wen,
Julin Gu
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
mycoses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.13
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1439-0507
pISSN - 0933-7407
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2009.01847.x
Subject(s) - medicine , amphotericin b , meningitis , surgery , intrathecal , discontinuation , fluconazole , lumbar puncture , anesthesia , lumbar , amphotericin b deoxycholate , cerebrospinal fluid , antifungal , dermatology , caspofungin
Summary Cryptococcal meningitis is a disease with high mortality and refractory to intravenous antifungal treatments with agents such as amphotericin B and fluconazole. We investigated lumbar puncture catheter drainage with an intrathecal injection of amphotericin B as a treatment for cryptococcal meningitis. All of the 14 patients enrolled in the treatment group survived with no evidence of relapse during 1‐year follow‐up. Complications included lumbosacral nerve root irritation in seven patients and urinary retention in seven patients. This study demonstrated that the technique used was effective in controlling the symptoms. The major complications disappeared after discontinuation of intrathecal injection of amphotericin B or with low‐dose therapy. Therefore, this technique could be an effective and safe method for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis.