Syringomyelia presenting as a delayed complication of treatment for nocardia brain abscess.
OBJECTIVE
Syringomyelia is defined as a dilatation of the central canal of the spinal cord which often leads to neurologic impairment. Syringomyelia has not previously been reported as a late complication for the treatment of brain abscess. In this report, we review a case involving this unusual association.


METHODS
A 25 year-old woman sustained a nocardia brain abscess initially presenting as a pulmonary infection. Treatment led to the development of multiloculated hydrocephalus and syringomyelia.


METHODS
Treatment included placement of multiple ventriculoperitoneal shunts and a syringo-pleural shunt. This resulted in stabilization of neurologic symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The possibility of developing syringomyelia should be considered in any case involving post-infectious hydrocephalus.
Young
W F
WF
Department of Neurosurgery, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
D000328:Adult; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D020546:Fourth Ventricle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012086:Reoperation; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013595:Syringomyelia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014696:Ventriculostomy / Q000009:adverse effects