An aseptic meningitis picture from incipient brain abscess

A preadolescent with headache and stiff neck presented for emergency department care. The presumptive diagnosis of viral meningitis was entertained on the basis of clinical examination and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Events subsequent to his release from the department formed the stimulus for this report. It is apparent that patients with complicated sinusitis may present with a constellation of findings consistent with viral meningitis.