Post-infective transverse myelitis following Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis with radiological features of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis: a case report

Journal of Medical Case Reports

John Thorpe¹  Thomas Williams² 

[1] Peterborough City Hospital, Edith Cavell Campus, Bretton Gate, Peterborough, PE3 9GZ, UK;Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 111, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0SP, UK

关键词: Streptococcus pneumoniae;    Pneumococcal meningitis;    Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis;    Transverse myelitis;    Post-infective demyelination;   

Others  :  1195405
DOI  :  10.1186/1752-1947-6-313

 received in 2012-05-01, accepted in 2012-07-19,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

Introduction

Post-infectious autoimmune demyelination of the central nervous system is a rare neurological disorder typically associated with exanthematous viral infections. We report an unusual presentation of the condition and a previously undocumented association with Streptococcus pneumonia meningitis.

Case presentation

A 50-year-old Caucasian woman presented to our facility with an acute myelopathy three days after discharge following acute Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis. Imaging studies of the spine ruled out an infective focus and no other lesions were seen within the cord. Diffuse, bilateral white matter lesions were seen within the cerebral hemispheres, and our patient was diagnosed as having a post-infective demyelination syndrome that met the diagnostic criteria for an acute transverse myelitis. Our patient clinically and radiologically improved following treatment with steroids.

Conclusions

The novel association of a Streptococcus pneumoniae infection with post-infectious autoimmune central nervous system demyelination should alert the reader to the potentially causative role of this common organism, and gives insights into the pathogenesis. The unusual dissociation between the clinical presentation and the location of the radiological lesions should also highlight the potential for the condition to mimic the presentation of others, and stimulates debate on the definitions of acute transverse myelitis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and their potential overlap.

【 授权许可】

   
2012 Williams and Thorpe; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1 .

Figure 2 .

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