title: Meningococcal encephalitis associated with cerebellar tonsillar herniation and acute cervicomedullary injury.
abstract: A 13-year-old girl presented with a progressive ascending paralysis, bulbar dysfunction and finally respiratory arrest. Magnetic resonance (MR) showed acute cervicomedullary injury and hindbrain herniation. An emergency foramen magnum decompression and external ventricular drainage insertion were performed, and meningococcal infection was diagnosed. The patient recovered completely. Meningococcal encephalitis may have an atypical presentation, and a surgery can optimise the outcome.
authors: Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, Birmingham Children's Hospital , Birmingham , UK.
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Fayeye
authors: B L
authors: BL
authors: Pettorini
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Smith
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Williams
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Rodrigues
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Kay
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D056424:Decompressive Craniectomy / Q000379:methods; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D004677:Encephalocele / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005539:Foramen Magnum / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000293:injuries*; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D038541:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014696:Ventriculostomy / Q000379:methods