title: Acute symptomatic hydrocephalus in Listeria monocytogenes meningitis.
abstract: Listeria monocytogenes meningitis appears to have increased in incidence. Although most reported cases of listeriosis involve the central nervous system, brain computed tomography is usually normal. Hydrocephalus is a common complication of tuberculous meningitis, which has a high prevalence in Taiwan. However, patients with L. monocytogenes meningitis rarely develop the complication of symptomatic hydrocephalus. We report a patient with L. monocytogenes meningitis who presented with persistent alteration of consciousness after appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Follow-up brain computed tomography revealed acute hydrocephalus. An Ommaya reservoir was implanted, and daily drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid was performed. The patient improved gradually and his mental status recovered completely 4 days later. This case should remind physicians to be aware of the possible occurrence of hydrocephalus in L. monocytogenes meningitis and that prompt cerebrospinal fluid drainage may achieve a good outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan County, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chun Chieh
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Chao Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Tsung Chia
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Wen Liang
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000382:microbiology*; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology*