Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Aug 2019
Evaluation of an in vivo model for ventricular shunt infection: a pilot study using a novel antimicrobial-loaded polymer.
Ventricular shunt infection remains an issue leading to high patient morbidity and cost, warranting further investigation. The authors sought to create an animal model of shunt infection that could be used to evaluate possible catheter modifications and innovations. ⋯ The authors evaluated an animal model of ventricular shunting and reliably induced features of shunt infection that could be microbiologically quantified. With this model, investigation of pathophysiological and imaging correlates of infection and potentially beneficial shunt catheter modifications is possible.