Neuroradiology

Ventriculitis

Infection of the ventricular cavity and of the ependymal lining is most often iatrogenic in origin, often being a complication of a shunting procedure or intrathecal chemotherapy. Noniatrogenic ventriculitis may follow meningitis or abscess rupture into the ventricles. Ventriculitis may be diagnosed on imaging on the basis of the presence of strong contrast enhancement of the ependymal lining associated with an increased CT density and MR signal intensity on both T2- and T1-weighted images of ventricular CSF due to a high protein content of the fluid. Ventricular enlargement and eventual obstructive hydrocephalus almost invariably follow ventriculitis.

GS