Bacterial meningitis: a rare complication of an unrecognised nasal foreign body in a child

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Otolaryngology
• Radiology

Background:

• Bacterial meningitis is a severe infection requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment.
• Nasal foreign bodies are common in children but rarely cause invasive infections.
• Chronic rhinosinusitis can present with non-specific symptoms, complicating diagnosis.

Observation:

• A 7-year-old child presented with severe bacterial meningitis and subsequent chronic rhinosinusitis.
• Initial investigations for meningitis were inconclusive.
• Persistent rhinorrhea led to a diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis, which was refractory to treatment.

Findings:

• A radiopaque foreign body was discovered in the nasal cavity via CT scan.
• This nasal foreign body was identified as the cause of the severe bacterial meningitis.
• The child recovered fully without long-term sequelae.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering rare causes for common symptoms.
• Emphasizes the need for comprehensive investigations, including advanced imaging, in complex pediatric cases.
• Underscores the potential for seemingly benign nasal foreign bodies to lead to life-threatening infections.