Third ventricle anaerobic abscess after perforation of the intestine by a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt

A case of third ventricle abscess in a patient with a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt came recently to our obsevation. Apparently retrograde spread of intestinal micro-organisms via the shunt, after a peritoneal catether induced bowel perforation, was responsible for this unusual, anaerobic Gram-negative abscess. After the aspiration of the abscess and the instillation of Metronidazole into the cavity, the patient promptly improved without any evidence of neurological side effects