Chronic Ventriculitis Caused by Cryptococcus neoformans: A Rare Presentation.

Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungus notorious for invading the central nervous system. while Cryptococcus is known to cause meningitis, encephalitis, and meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised patients, especially those with AIDS (CD4 <100), and found to be rapidly fatal, instances of ventricular involvement with chronic sequelae are exceedingly rare. Typical presentations of cryptococcal meningitis involve headache, altered mental status, nuchal rigidity, and vomiting.

Topical vancomycin reduces surgical site infections in patients subjected to craniotomy for primary brain tumor resection: A comprehensive cancer center experience.

Background: Craniotomies for resection of neoplastic lesions are at increased risk for surgical site infections (SSIs) as compared to non-neoplastic pathologies. SSIs can be detrimental due to delay in pivotal adjuvant therapies.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of SSI in primary brain tumors, to analyze risk factors, and to evaluate effectiveness of topical vancomycin in reducing SSIs.