# Beyond infection: Ommaya reservoir-induced vasogenic edema and reversible leukoencephalopathy

## TL;DR

A patient with a brain tumor developed rare brain complications after an Ommaya reservoir was placed, highlighting the need for awareness among clinicians.

## Contribution

This paper reports a rare case of vasogenic edema and leukoencephalopathy caused by an Ommaya reservoir, emphasizing diagnostic and management considerations.

## Key findings

- A 65-year-old patient developed vasogenic edema following Ommaya reservoir placement.
- MRI and CT scans showed hypodense areas consistent with cerebral edema.
- The patient's normal inflammatory markers and absence of fever indicated a non-infectious cause.

## Abstract

Ommaya reservoirs, commonly used in the management of intrathecal chemotherapy, can sometimes lead to complications, including cerebral edema and porencephaly. We present the case of a 65-year-old woman with a suprasellar craniopharyngioma who developed these rare complications after the placement of an Ommaya reservoir. The initial CT and MRI findings revealed a hypodense area in the right frontal lobe along the Ommaya catheter, consistent with a vasogenic edema. Laboratory work-ups, including inflammatory markers, were normal, and the patient did not exhibit fever. This case highlights the need for clinicians to be aware of this potential complication when managing patients with Ommaya reservoirs.