# Cefiderocol and Intraventricular Colistin for Ventriculitis due to an Extensively Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

## TL;DR

A 65-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis developed a severe brain infection after surgery, which was successfully treated with a combination of cefiderocol and intraventricular colistin.

## Contribution

The paper presents a successful treatment strategy for ventriculitis caused by extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.

## Key findings

- Cefiderocol and intraventricular colistin effectively treated ventriculitis caused by extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.
- Early diagnosis and prompt treatment led to neurological and cognitive recovery in the patient.

## Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory rheumatic disease predominantly affecting small limb joints, frequently compromises the cervical spine, resulting in spinal instability and the potential surgical necessity. This may result in severe complications, such as ventriculitis, often associated with a high mortality rate and multidrug-resistant organisms. A major challenge lies in achieving therapeutic antimicrobial concentrations in the central nervous system.

The authors present a case of a 65-year-old female, with cervical myelopathy due to severe rheumatoid arthritis. Following surgery, the patient developed ventriculitis caused by an extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment played a crucial role in facilitating neurological and cognitive recovery.