Abstract
Background
Increasing use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) over the past 20 years is paralleled by a rise in DBS infections. There is a paucity of data on the diagnosis, management, and outcomes in such infections. We describe our center’s experience with DBS infections.
Methods
Adults ( >18 years) diagnosed with DBS associated infection between January 1, 2000 and May 1, 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Data on patient demographics, clinical presentation, microbiology, and management was collected.
Results
Seventy cases were identified (table 1). The mean age at diagnosis was 58.9 ± 16.5 years. The bulk were free of comorbidities. Parkinson’s disease and essential tremors were the most common indications for DBS placement. The median time from implantation to infection was 4 months [IQR 1,24]. The neurotransmitter and extension wires were the most frequently infected parts. A microbiological diagnosis was made in 89% of cases, 47% of which were polymicrobial. The most commonly identified organisms were Staphylococcus aureus, Cutibacterium acnes, and coagulase-negative staphylococci. For patients with deep infection, 71% had complete device extraction, 20% partial extraction, and 9% device retention; clinical cure at 3 months occurred in 97%, 64% and 100%, respectively (figure 1). On the other hand, 93% of patients with superficial infection had device retention; cure at 3 months was seen in 64% (figure 2). Suppressive oral antibiotics were rarely used, 45% of patients with partial extraction and 26% with device retention. DBS was reimplanted in 71% of patients after complete extraction and led to reinfection in 30% at 1 year follow up. Median time to reimplantation was 2.7 months. All patients who failed at 3 months in the partial extraction and device retention cohorts subsequently underwent complete device removal leading to clinical cure sustained at 1 year follow up.
Conclusion
All patients who had complete extraction achieved clinical cure at 3-months follow-up, while high failure rates occurred in those with device retention. Most infections were polymicrobial and predominantly caused by gram-positive pathogens. Thirty percent of patients with re-implantation after complete device extraction developed re-infection within 1 year.
Disclosures
All Authors: No reported disclosures