Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 15, 2026

Intrathecal Application of a Fluorescent Dye for the Identification of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Cochlear Malformation
06:59

Intrathecal Application of a Fluorescent Dye for the Identification of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Cochlear Malformation

Published on: February 29, 2020

[Bacterial meningitis as a late complication of persistent traumatic cerebrospinal fluid fistulas]

W Süss, C Corradini

    Aktuelle Traumatologie
    |October 1, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    Severe head trauma can lead to delayed bacterial meningitis years later through cerebrospinal fluid fistulas. This rare complication should be considered in meningitis cases with no clear origin.

    Area of Science:

    • Neurology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Trauma Surgery

    Background:

    • Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection of the central nervous system.
    • Severe head trauma can cause complications such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas.
    • CSF fistulas create a pathway for pathogens to enter the central nervous system.

    Observation:

    • The report details two patients who developed bacterial meningitis.
    • The onset of meningitis occurred 26 and 27 years after the initial severe head trauma.
    • Both patients had pre-existing cerebrospinal fluid fistulas resulting from their head injuries.

    Findings:

    • Delayed bacterial meningitis can occur decades after head trauma.
    • Cerebrospinal fluid fistulas are a critical risk factor for late-onset meningitis.
    • The study highlights a rare but significant etiological link between head trauma and recurrent meningitis.

    Implications:

    • Clinicians should consider a history of severe head trauma in patients with bacterial meningitis of unknown origin.
    • Early diagnosis and management of CSF fistulas may prevent delayed infectious complications.
    • This underscores the importance of long-term follow-up for patients with traumatic brain injuries and CSF leaks.

    More Related Videos

    Induction of Leptomeningeal Cells Modification Via Intracisternal Injection05:55

    Induction of Leptomeningeal Cells Modification Via Intracisternal Injection

    Published on: May 7, 2020

    Neisseria meningitidis Infection of Induced Pluripotent Stem-Cell Derived Brain Endothelial Cells10:12

    Neisseria meningitidis Infection of Induced Pluripotent Stem-Cell Derived Brain Endothelial Cells

    Published on: July 14, 2020

    Related Concept Videos

    Bacterial Meningitis01:24

    Bacterial Meningitis

    Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
    Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

    Cryptococcal Meningitis

    Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
    Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

    Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

    Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
    Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

    Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

    Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
    Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

    Brain Abscess l: Introduction

    A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
    Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

    Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

    Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...