Pneumococcal Meningitis Complicated by Spinal Cord Dysfunction and Acute Polyradiculopathy

Abstract

Background: Meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is associated with devastating clinical outcomes. A considerable number of patients will develop long-term neurologic complications. Hearing loss, diffuse brain edema, and hydrocephalus are frequently encountered. Acute spinal cord dysfunction and polyradiculopathy can develop in some patients. Case Report: A 63-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with sudden-onset bilateral lower extremity weakness. On admission, the patient had evidence of spinal cord dysfunction given the abnormal motor and sensory physical examination findings and the absent sensation with a sensory level at dermatome T4 on neurologic examination. Computed tomography myelography did not show evidence of spinal cord compression or transverse myelitis. Cerebrospinal fluid examination was positive for pneumococcal meningitis. The patient was treated with antibiotics and steroids. Nerve conduction studies demonstrated the absence of response, suggesting damage to the peripheral nerves and polyradiculopathy. The patient was treated with plasmapheresis for possible Guillain-Barré syndrome; however, she did not improve despite appropriate antibiotics, steroids, and plasmapheresis. She developed persistent quadriparesis, sensory impairments in upper and lower extremities, and bowel and bladder sphincter dysfunction. Conclusion: Our case demonstrates the development of spinal cord dysfunction (supported by the sudden onset of paraplegia and the presence of a sensory level) and polyradiculopathy (flaccid paralysis, ascending weakness, and absence of response in neurophysiologic studies suggesting severe damage to the peripheral nerves). The appearance of either complication is unusual, and the simultaneous occurrence of both complications is even more uncommon.

Keywords: Meningitis–pneumococcal; Streptococcus pneumoniae; neurologic manifestations; paraplegia; polyradiculopathy.