Ommaya reservoirs in 387 cancer patients

Abstract

We reviewed records of 387 patients with cancer who had Ommaya reservoirs placed between October 1967 and December 1982. Complications of reservoir placement were reported in 27 patients, including intracranial hemorrhage (5 patients) and reservoir malfunction (15 patients). In 15 of 19 patients with meningitis, the infection was linked to the reservoir. The organism most frequently implicated was Staphylococcus epidermidis. Seizures, leukoencephalopathy, and pericatheter necrosis were seen in 10 patients who had received intraventricular chemotherapy.

Leptomeningeal metastases in the MRI era

“…3 With improved visualization of the subarachnoid space by MRI, imaging has become the initial, and often sole, diagnostic tool. 4 Large case series of LM have been reported, [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] but few were conducted in the era of high-quality MRI. We collected data from patients with LM diagnosed over 3 years, during which time MRI was used routinely in the evaluation of neurologic symptoms.…”

Successful Use of Intracavitary Bleomycin for Low-Grade Astrocytoma Tumor Cyst

“…Such a cyst may be treated with aspiration alone, but usually recollects as it did in our patient. Placement of an Ommaya reservoir with repeated drainage has been advocated [3]. However, the protein content in these tumors is often very high, as seen in our patient, and subsequent blockage of the reservoir is a potential problem.…”

“…Further surgeries may also result in the formation of adhesions promoting cyst development and further contribute to the problem. Local pressure can be relieved by aspirating the cyst fluid once or repeatedly via an indwelling catheter, but cyst fluid frequently recollects, and catheters can become occluded [3]. …”

Development of a Cavum Septi Pellucidi after Ommaya Reservoir Placement: A Cause of Shunt Malfunction

“…Frequently described complications include technical complications (misplacement of the device and malfunction) and infection (1,3,4,7,9,12). Perioperative mortality is less than 1% and is usually secondary to a hemorrhagic complication or less likely from misplacement of the catheter (1, 3, 7).…”

“…Perioperative mortality is less than 1% and is usually secondary to a hemorrhagic complication or less likely from misplacement of the catheter (1, 3, 7). The incidence of technical complications ranges from 6.5% to 21% (1,3,7,12). The use of imaging assisted stereotaxy and confirmation of the intraventricular placement of the catheter before administration of chemotherapy reduce the complications.…”