Herbal medicine-induced meningitis-retention syndrome

Abstract

A 73-year-old woman developed subacute meningitis-retention syndrome (MRS), dermatitis, and latent pneumonitis likely due to the herbal medicines Shinbu-Tou and Rikkunshi-Tou. The responsible site of lesions for urinary retention seemed to be the spinal micturition pathways and, to a lesser extent, the sacral spinal cord. All of her clinical manifestations were successfully ameliorated within three weeks of discontinuation of the herbal remedies.