Cervicomedullary injury after pneumococcal meningitis with brain edema

Raja Nandini Muralidharan, Alejandro A. Rabinstein, Eelco F.M. Wijdicks

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: To demonstrate a rare but potential mechanism of quadriplegia in a patient with fulminant pneumococcal meningitis complicated by severe intracranial hypertension. Design: Case report. Setting: Intensive care unit. Patient: A 21-year-old man who presented with 3 days of headache, combativeness, and fever. Intervention: Antibiotics and steroids were initiated after lumbar puncture yielded purulent cerebrospinal fluid and streptococcus pneumoniae. Results: The patient's course was complicated by severe cerebral edema necessitating intracranial pressure monitoring and intracranial pressure-targeted therapy. Within 5 days he developed quadriplegia and areflexia. Brain and cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed patchy areas of T2 signal hyperintensity with associated gadolinium enhancement in the superior cervical spinal cord, cerebellar tonsils, and medulla. Conclusions: Quadriplegia secondary to tonsillar herniation in fulminant meningitis is rare but should be considered in patients with acute quadriparesis after treatment of increased intracranial pressure. Magnetic resonance imaging signal changes and gadolinium enhancement may be demonstrated. Significant improvement of cord symptoms can be expected.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)513-516
Number of pages4
JournalArchives of neurology
Volume68
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Clinical Neurology

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