Meningitis-retention syndrome. An unrecognized clinical condition

A combination of acute urinary retention and aseptic meningitis has not been well known. This combination can be referred to as meningitis-retention syndrome (MRS), when accompanied by no other abnormalities.

To describe the results of a uro-neurological assessment in our patients with MRS.

In three patients (two men, one woman; age, 34-68 years), we performed urodynamic studies and relevant imaging and neurophysiological tests, in addition to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination.

All three patients developed acute urinary retention along with headache, fever and stiff neck. None had obvious neurological abnormalities, other than a slightly brisk reflex in the lower extremities. One had previously experienced generalized erythematous eruptions, but none had pain, hypalgesia or skin eruptions in the sacral dermatomes suggestive of Elsberg syndrome (infectious sacral polyradiculitis; mostly genital herpes). Brain/spinal/lumbar plexus MRI scans and nerve conduction studies were normal. CSF examination showed mild mononuclear pleocytosis, increased protein content, and normal to mildly decreased glucose content in all patients; increased myelin basic protein suggestive of central nervous system demyelination in one; and increased viral titers in none. Urodynamic study revealed, during the voiding phase, an underactive detrusor in all patients and an unrelaxing sphincter in one. These clinical manifestations were ameliorated within 3 weeks.

We reported three cases of MRS, a peculiar syndrome that could be regarded as a mild variant of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). Urinary retention might reflect acute shock phase of this disorder. Although MRS has a benign and self-remitting course, management of the acute urinary retention is necessary.