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[Purulent meningitis in children in Yaounde (Cameroon). Survey of complications using echoencephalography]
J Gonsu Fotsin1, I Kago, M T Dzogang
1Service de Radiologie, CUSS, Hôpital Central, Yaounde.
Insights
Transfontanellar ultrasonography revealed complications in nearly half of infants with purulent meningitis. Delayed treatment and severe symptoms strongly correlated with these complications, highlighting the need for early diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Medical Imaging
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Purulent meningitis is a serious infection in infants.
- Complications can significantly impact neurological outcomes.
- Early detection of complications is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of transfontanellar ultrasonography in detecting complications of purulent meningitis in infants.
- To identify factors correlating with the presence of these complications.
Main Methods:
- Transfontanellar ultrasonography was performed on 61 infants (0-12 months) with confirmed purulent meningitis.
- Epidemiological, bacteriological, and clinical data were analyzed.
- Correlation between ultrasound findings and clinical/demographic factors was assessed.
Main Results:
- Nearly half (45.90%) of the infants showed ultrasound evidence of complications.
- Communicating hydrocephalus was the most common complication (71.43% of complicated cases).
- No correlation was found with age, sex, or CSF color, but delayed treatment and severe clinical signs (coma, seizures) were strongly associated with complications.
Conclusions:
- Routine ultrasound encephalography is recommended for infants diagnosed with meningitis.
- Improved parental education and collaboration between pediatric radiologists and neurosurgeons are advised.
- Early detection and intervention are critical for managing meningitis complications in infants.
Abstract:
Sixty-one infants aged 0 to 12 months with documented purulent meningitis underwent transfontanellar ultrasonography at the Yaounde Central Hospital. Twenty-eight (45.90%) infants had evidence of complications including communicating hydrocephalus (20 patients; 71.43%), ventriculitis (5; 17.86%), abscess with ventriculitis (2; 7.14%), and cerebral atrophy (1; 3.57%). An analysis of the main epidemiological, bacteriological and clinical parameters found no correlation between the presence of ultrasound evidence of complications and age, sex, or color of the CSF. Conversely, a close correlation was found with both the time elapsed between onset and initiation of treatment and the severity of clinical manifestations (coma, seizures). The authors, recommend routine ultrasound encephalography in infants with meningitis, improved information of parents, and close collaboration between pediatric radiologists and neurosurgeons.