A Case of Pyogenic Ventriculitis Complicating Obstruction of Aqueduct of Sylvius

ABSTRACT

A rare case of ventriculitis associated with the obstruction of aqueduct of Sylvius is reported and the pertinent literature reviewed. A 24 years old male, who had been suffering from a longstanding chronic pyogenic ear disease since childhood, was admitted to our clinic in Dec. 1973 with a comatose state. Contrast radiology showed the obstructive hydrocephalus with the occluded aqueduct of Sylvius, but neither intracerebral or intracerebellar space consuming mass presented. Cerebrospinal and ventricular fluid revealed a marked growth of Escherichia Coli. So ventriculitis complicating obstruction of the aqueduct of Sylvius due to chronic suppurative otitis media and mastoiditis was diagnosed in this patient, and treated by Torkildsen's operation with proper chemotherapy and resulted in good recovery. We experienced that ventriculitis initiated from meningitis might give rise to obstruction of the aqueduct of Sylvius and it could be considered as a brain abscess superimposed raised intracranial pressure from obstructive hydrocephalus.