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Syringomyelia--a complication of meningitis--case report
A Kakar1, V S Madan, V Prakash
1Department of Internal Medicine and Neurosurgery, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi, India.
Spinal Cord
|September 25, 1997
Summary
Syringomyelia after meningitis is rare. This case details a patient with arachnoiditis from tubercular meningitis progressing to syringomyelia, treated with a syringo-subarachnoid shunt.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Syringomyelia is a rare neurological condition characterized by cyst formation within the spinal cord.
- Meningitis, particularly tubercular meningitis, can lead to serious neurological sequelae.
- Arachnoiditis, inflammation of the arachnoid mater, is a known complication of meningitis.
Observation:
- A 43-year-old Indian male presented with symptoms indicative of progressive spinal cord dysfunction.
- The patient had a history of tubercular meningitis, which had resulted in arachnoiditis.
- The arachnoiditis subsequently progressed, leading to the development of syringomyelia.
Findings:
- This case highlights a rare progression from arachnoiditis secondary to tubercular meningitis to syringomyelia.
- The patient's syringomyelia was successfully managed with a syringo-subarachnoid shunt.
- The report underscores the importance of recognizing delayed neurological complications after meningitis.
Implications:
- Early recognition and intervention for post-meningitis complications like syringomyelia are crucial.
- Syringo-subarachnoid shunting offers a viable treatment option for managing syringomyelia.
- Further research into the pathogenesis of syringomyelia following arachnoiditis is warranted.