Korean J Infect Dis.  1999 Apr;31(2):180-183.

A Case of Recurrent Bacterial Meningitis associated with Traumatic Cerebrospinal Fluid Fistula

• Yu SW
• Kim DR
• Kim BJ
• Park MK
• Kim MJ
• Lee DH

Abstract

Recurrent bacterial meningitis in adults is a rare disease mostly due to traumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula and usually occurs within 2 weeks after head trauma. Recurrent bacterial meningitis shows high mortality and requires prompt diagnosis and proper treatment. However, diagnostic problems often arise when there may be no recent history of head injury, no direct radiologic evidence, and no CSF rhinorrhea or otorrhea. A 43-year-old man who had head trauma 2 years ago was admitted two times during 3 months due to acute bacterial meningitis. Culture of CSF grew Streptococcus pneumoniae during the second admission. The temporal bone CT scan revealed the transverse fracture on the right temporal bone. CSF leakage through the fracture was corrected by the open cavity mastoidectomy with middle ear obliteration. After the operation further recurrence of bacterial meningitis has not occurred.

Keyword

Recurrent bacterial meningitis; Trauma; Cerebrospinal fluid fistula

MeSH Terms

Adult
Cerebrospinal Fluid*
Craniocerebral Trauma
Diagnosis
Ear, Middle
Fistula*
Humans
Meningitis, Bacterial*
Mortality
Rare Diseases
Recurrence
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Temporal Bone
Tomography, X-Ray Computed