Advances in the management of central nervous system infections in the ICU.

This chapter focuses on early aggressive management of common infections of the central nervous system that require monitoring in an ICU setting. These include meningitis, encephalitis, brain and epidural abscess, subdural empyema and ventriculitis. It emphasizes priorities in evaluation and management due to increasing morbidity and mortality as a result of failure to appreciate non-specific symptoms or administer timely therapy. The emergence of organisms resistant to penicillin and cephalosporins has also further complicated the early management of bacterial meningitis. Current antimicrobial guidelines are provided along with discussion of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and controversial aspects of management.