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A quadriplegic child with multiple brain abscesses: case report of neurobrucellosis

Zarrin Keihani-Douste1, Khadijeh Daneshjou, Mehdi Ghasemi

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

Medical Science Monitor : International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research
|December 1, 2006
PubMed

Insights

This case report details a child with neurobrucellosis presenting with spinal cord lesions and brain abscesses. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing this rare pediatric condition.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neuroimaging

Background:

  • Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection that can affect multiple organ systems.
  • Neurobrucellosis, a rare complication, can present with diverse neurological manifestations.

Observation:

  • A 12-year-old boy presented with quadriplegia, back pain, headache, nausea, and incontinence.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed multiple brain abscesses and spinal intramedullary lesions.

Findings:

  • Diagnosis of brucellosis was confirmed by positive serological tests (Wright test and 2-mercaptoethanol agglutination).
  • The patient showed gradual improvement with a combination of antibiotics (rifampin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, gentamicin) and prednisolone.

Implications:

  • Neurobrucellosis can manifest unusually in pediatric patients, including severe motor deficits.
  • Clinicians should include brucellosis in the differential diagnosis for children presenting with unexplained neurological symptoms like quadriplegia.
Abstract

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