Published in:
01-07-2008 | Case Report
Mycoplasma meningitis resulting in increased production of cerebrospinal fluid: case report and review of the literature
Published in: Child's Nervous System | Issue 7/2008
Login to get accessAbstract
Purpose
We report a case of increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production in a child with concomitant mycoplasma meningitis.
Materials and methods
This 4-year-old boy presented with a 2-week history of body aches, malaise, and headaches. He developed sudden onset of obtundation, apnea, left eye deviation, and bilateral dilated and unreactive pupils. A ventriculostomy was placed initially for a poor neurologic examination in the setting of likely meningitis. Initial intracranial pressure was high, and CSF production was supraphysiologic for the first few days of empiric, broad-spectrum treatment. Mycoplasma meningitis was diagnosed. The ventriculostomy was weaned after adequate treatment for mycoplasma meningitis.
Results and conclusions
At 4 months follow-up, the child remains shunt-free with only mild cognitive–linguistic impairment. Untreated mycoplasma meningitis may cause raised intracranial pressure (possibly as a result of increased CSF production) and result in a poor neurological examination. In this setting, CSF diversion in the form of an external ventricular drain may be beneficial to preserve neurologic function during treatment with antibiotics.