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Cervicomedullary injury after pneumococcal meningitis with brain edema.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21482931     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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.
Authors:
Rajanandini Muralidharan; Alejandro A Rabinstein; Eelco F M Wijdicks
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Archives of neurology     Volume:  68     ISSN:  1538-3687     ISO Abbreviation:  Arch. Neurol.     Publication Date:  2011 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-04-12     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0372436     Medline TA:  Arch Neurol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  513-6     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, W8B, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905. wijde@mayo.edu.
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