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Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain
05:02

Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain

Published on: October 2, 2018

Syringomyelia following Listeria meningoencephalitis: report of a case

R Nardone1, F Alessandrini, F Tezzon

  • 1Department of Neurology, F. Tappeiner Hospital, Via Rossini 6, I-39012 Merano (BZ), Italy.

Neurological Sciences : Official Journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology
|May 20, 2003
PubMed

Insights

A rare case shows syringomyelia (a fluid-filled cyst in the spinal cord) developing six years after Listeria meningoencephalitis. This highlights potential delayed spinal complications following central nervous system infections.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Listeria monocytogenes can cause central nervous system infections like meningoencephalitis.
  • Syringomyelia is a rare condition characterized by a cyst within the spinal cord.
  • Delayed neurological complications after infections are not well-documented.

Observation:

  • A patient developed symptomatic syringomyelia six years post-Listeria meningoencephalitis.
  • Standard MRI and dynamic phase contrast (PC) cine-MRI revealed chronic spinal arachnoiditis.
  • Spinal arachnoiditis was identified as the likely cause of the syringomyelia.

Findings:

  • This is the first reported case of delayed spinal complications, specifically syringomyelia, following Listeria monocytogenes infection.
  • Chronic spinal arachnoiditis can be a sequela of spinal infections.
  • The development of syringomyelia can be a long-term consequence of central nervous system infections.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider the possibility of syringomyelia in patients with a history of central nervous system infections.
  • Spinal imaging should be considered in patients with neurological symptoms following CNS infections.
  • Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and prevalence of delayed spinal complications after infections.

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