[Penetration of cefotaxime into human cerebrospinal fluid].

The penetration of cefotaxime (CTX) into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was monitored to evaluate the prophylactic efficacy of the drug against post-craniotomy infections. Doses ranged from 1 to 2 g were administered to patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage due to the rupture of cerebral aneurysm, traumatic cerebral contusion, or subdural edema accompanied by intracerebral hemorrhage, by intravenous drip infusion over a period of 30 or 60 minutes. CTX readily entered the CSF with concentrations exceeding MICs against the major pathogens occurring after craniotomy. CTX proved to be effective in the prevention of post-craniotomy infections in noninflammatory situations, especially after surgery in the case of cerebral traumas or subarachnoid hemorrhage.