[Hypophyseal abscess and cerebral arteritis in a fatal course of pneumococcal meningitis]
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E Schmutzhard1, J Willeit, J Langmayr
1Universitätsklinik für Neurologie, Universität Innsbruck.
Abstract:
Even today uncomplicated courses of pneumococcal meningitis show relatively high fatality rates. Abscess formation leads to a drastic deterioration of prognosis; the same applies to the rarely observed occurrence of a cerebral arteritis. Up to 1985 only 50 cases of pituitary abscess had been described in the literature. This case report describes the signs and symptoms as well as the neuroradiological and post mortem findings on a patient who succumbed to a pneumococcal meningitis, complicated by formation of a pituitary abscess and cerebral arteritis.
Insights
Pneumococcal meningitis can be fatal, especially with complications like abscesses. This case highlights a rare instance of pituitary abscess and cerebral arteritis complicating pneumococcal meningitis, worsening the prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Background:
- Pneumococcal meningitis remains a significant cause of mortality.
- Complications such as abscess formation and cerebral arteritis drastically worsen patient prognosis.
- Pituitary abscess is an exceedingly rare complication of pneumococcal meningitis.
Observation:
- This report details a case of pneumococcal meningitis.
- The patient presented with a rare pituitary abscess and cerebral arteritis.
- Clinical signs, symptoms, and neuroradiological findings were documented.
Findings:
- The patient succumbed to the complicated meningitis.
- Post-mortem examination confirmed the presence of pituitary abscess and cerebral arteritis.
- These rare complications were associated with a fatal outcome.
Implications:
- This case underscores the severe prognosis associated with pituitary abscess and cerebral arteritis in pneumococcal meningitis.
- Highlights the importance of recognizing and managing rare complications.
- Contributes to the limited literature on pituitary abscess in the context of meningitis.