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Perillo T, Capasso R, Pinto A. Neuroimaging of the Most Common Meningitis and Encephalitis of Adults: A Narrative Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:1064. [PMID: 38893591 PMCID: PMC11171665 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14111064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Meningitis is the infection of the meninges, which are connective tissue membranes covering the brain, and it most commonly affects the leptomeninges. Clinically, meningitis may present with fever, neck stiffness, altered mental status, headache, vomiting, and neurological deficits. Encephalitis is an infection of the brain, which usually presents with fever, altered mental status, neurological deficits, and seizure. Meningitis and encephalitis are serious conditions which could also coexist, with high morbidity and mortality, thus requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. Imaging plays an important role in the clinical management of these conditions, especially Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It is indicated to exclude mimics and evaluate the presence of complications. The aim of this review is to depict imaging findings of the most common meningitis and encephalitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Perillo
- Department of Radiology, CTO Hospital, AORN dei Colli, 80141 Naples, Italy; (R.C.); (A.P.)
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Stanley BN, Rizvi HB, Sahhar HS. Rapidly Progressive Fatal Pneumococcal Meningitis in a Fully Immunized Child With a History of Facial Bone Fractures. Cureus 2024; 16:e59204. [PMID: 38807822 PMCID: PMC11131434 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Meningitis is the inflammation of meninges either septic or aseptic depending on the source of infection. Typical signs and symptoms of meningitis in children include fever, headache, neck stiffness, nuchal rigidity represented by positive Kernig and Brudzinski signs, photophobia, nausea, vomiting, confusion, lethargy, and irritability. Bacterial meningitis is commonly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in children over the age of three months. Although there has been a decline in infections due to the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines, there are still reported cases of invasive pneumococcal infections mostly with non-vaccine serotypes. We report a fully immunized six-year-old male patient with a presentation of classic meningitis signs and symptoms who developed rapid progression of disease including sudden and dramatic change in physical exam and subsequent respiratory depression within 12 hours of admission. Our patient had a history of extensive traumatic facial bone fractures six months prior. Our case demonstrates a unique presentation of rapidly progressing pneumococcal meningitis due to a suspected complication of septic thrombophlebitis and subsequent brain herniation in a fully immunized patient six months after a severe traumatic facial injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna N Stanley
- Pediatrics, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Spartanburg, USA
| | - Haya B Rizvi
- Pediatrics, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, USA
| | - Hanna S Sahhar
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Spartanburg, USA
- Pediatrics, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Spartanburg, USA
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Duong MT, Rudie JD, Mohan S. Neuroimaging Patterns of Intracranial Infections: Meningitis, Cerebritis, and Their Complications. Neuroimaging Clin N Am 2023; 33:11-41. [PMID: 36404039 PMCID: PMC10904173 DOI: 10.1016/j.nic.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Neuroimaging provides rapid, noninvasive visualization of central nervous system infections for optimal diagnosis and management. Generalizable and characteristic imaging patterns help radiologists distinguish different types of intracranial infections including meningitis and cerebritis from a variety of bacterial, viral, fungal, and/or parasitic causes. Here, we describe key radiologic patterns of meningeal enhancement and diffusion restriction through profiles of meningitis, cerebritis, abscess, and ventriculitis. We discuss various imaging modalities and recent diagnostic advances such as deep learning through a survey of intracranial pathogens and their radiographic findings. Moreover, we explore critical complications and differential diagnoses of intracranial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Tran Duong
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Rudie
- Department of Radiology, Scripps Clinic and University of California San Diego, 10666 Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Suyash Mohan
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Asfaw YA, Huang H, Taimur M, Anand A, Poudel S, Garg T, Asfaw BA, Abebe BM, Akbariromani H, Lazovic G, Cueva W. Progressive Cerebral Venous Thrombosis with Cranial Nerve Palsies in an Adolescent African Girl & Associated Diagnostic Pitfalls: A Rare Case Report. Int Med Case Rep J 2023; 16:45-51. [PMID: 36660226 PMCID: PMC9842531 DOI: 10.2147/imcrj.s381748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a cerebrovascular disorder caused by complete or partial occlusion of the cerebral venous and sinus system. The etiology has been attributed to hypercoagulability and pro-thrombotic states, leading to raised intracranial pressures that often manifest as headaches and focal neurological deficits. However, the multifactorial nature of CVT can create a diagnostic conundrum for clinicians. We describe a unique case of a 16-year-old female who presented with convulsions, postictal confusion, and drowsiness followed by residual weakness of her extremities. She initially presented to the primary care center with headache, high-grade fever, and altered mental status and was empirically treated for pyogenic meningitis. The patient failed to improve with a week of antibiotics and was referred to the tertiary care center for urgent attention. On presentation, the patient developed VI and VII cranial nerve palsy. Subsequently, MRI images showed filling defects in the superior sagittal, right transverse, and sigmoid sinuses with right parietal gyral T1 hyperintensity and T2 hypo-intensity. She was diagnosed with septic CVT based on sinus venous thrombosis and venous infarction, probably secondary to meningococcal pneumonia. It can be challenging to distinguish between both conditions as their presentations overlap. Moreover, cranial nerve palsy is an infrequent manifestation of CVT, with unclear pathogenesis. We highlight the role of neuro-imaging in the early detection of CVT and bring to light the unfamiliar symptoms and a more varied clinical spectrum that may hinder the diagnosis in a limited-resource setting. Future research should be explicitly modeled to improve the diagnostic efficiency of CVT and improve outcomes in younger patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonathan Aliye Asfaw
- Internal Medicine Department, University of Gondar, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gondar, Ethiopia,Department of Research & Academic Affairs, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, FL, USA,Correspondence: Yonathan Aliye Asfaw, Internal Medicine Department, University of Gondar, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gondar, Ethiopia, Email
| | - Helen Huang
- Department of Research & Academic Affairs, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, FL, USA,Internal Medicine Department, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Muhammad Taimur
- Department of Research & Academic Affairs, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, FL, USA,Internal Medicine Department, Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ayush Anand
- Department of Research & Academic Affairs, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, FL, USA,Internal Medicine Department, B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
| | - Sujan Poudel
- Department of Research & Academic Affairs, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, FL, USA
| | - Tulika Garg
- Department of Research & Academic Affairs, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, FL, USA,Internal Medicine Department, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India
| | - Bethlehem Aliye Asfaw
- Internal Medicine Department, University of Gondar, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gondar, Ethiopia,Department of Research & Academic Affairs, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, FL, USA
| | - Befekadu Molalegn Abebe
- Internal Medicine Department, University of Gondar, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gondar, Ethiopia,Department of Research & Academic Affairs, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, FL, USA
| | - Hanieh Akbariromani
- Department of Research & Academic Affairs, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, FL, USA,Internal Medicine Department, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gavrilo Lazovic
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, FL, USA
| | - Wilson Cueva
- Department of Neurology, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, FL, USA
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Zhou L, Wang C, Bian J, Xu S, Yang M, Chen M. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in a patient with Klebsiella pneumoniae primary liver abscess: a case report. BMC Neurol 2022; 22:286. [PMID: 35907788 PMCID: PMC9338478 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02806-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver abscess is a common emergency in the emergency department. However, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare and serious cerebrovascular disease. Cases of CVST in patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae primary liver abscess (KLA) have not been described in the literature. We report a case of CVST in patients with KLA. CASE PRESENTATION A 54-year-old male patient came to our department with a fever for 2 days and altered mental status for 1 day. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed multiple liver abscesses. The blood culture was identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae sepsis. Head contrast-enhanced MRI and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) imaging showed multiple thrombus formation in the right transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus. The patient's infection and thrombosis were controlled within one week of multidisciplinary comprehensive treatment such as antibiotic and antithrombotic therapy, and a good clinical recovery during the 1-month follow-up. CONCLUSION CVST after liver abscess is rare, clinicians should be aware of this complication and vigilant for the possibility of bacterial meningitis. The underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyu Zhou
- Emergency Department and Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Emergency Department and Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Jialan Bian
- Emergency Department and Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Siyuan Xu
- Emergency Department and Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Minjie Yang
- Emergency Department and Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Mingquan Chen
- Emergency Department and Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China. .,Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Tomassini L, Paolini D, Petrasso PEY, Maria Manta A, Piersanti V, Straccamore M, Ciallella C. What about cerebral venous sinus thrombosis? A series of three autopsy cases. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2022; 56:102052. [PMID: 35276490 PMCID: PMC9553194 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2022.102052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is an uncommon cerebrovascular disorder that gained massive media attention in 2021, when an association between COVID-19 and its vaccines was found in several reported cases, raising the suspicion of a causative relation that is still debated. Three cases of CVST unrelated to COVID-19 are reported in this article to highlight the difficulty in the early recognition and management of this condition, as it occurs in a variety of diseases with different clinical and pathological manifestations. When the diagnosis cannot be achieved in the clinical setting, the role of the pathologist becomes essential in the determination of the cause of death and in the identification of the etiology of CVST. During the autopsy, coordination between the physician and the forensic pathologist is crucial to correlate the clinical presentation with the pathological picture.
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