Spinal cord damage: a rare complication of purulent meningitis.
Three cases of spinal cord damage following acute bacterial meningitis are described. Two children survived with neurological sequelae, while one died. Autopsy showed extensive spinal cord necrosis. The possible mechanisms for this rare complication are discussed and a possible connection with transient cardiorespiratory arrest is suggested.
D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000150:complications*; D008583:Meningitis, Haemophilus / Q000150:complications; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000150:complications; D009336:Necrosis; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000209:etiology*