J Korean Child Neurol Soc.  2006 May;14(1):153-157.

A Case of Recurrent Bacterial Meningitis Associated with Lumbosacral Dermal Sinus during Early Infancy

• Jang JW
• Kim SY
• Kim HS
• Lee EJ
• Lee SG

Abstract

Acute bacterial meningitis is an uncommon, potentially life-threatening infection and recurrent episodes of bacterial meningitis are rarely seen. But when they occur, an exhaustive search for the mechanisms underlying the recurrent episodes must be pursued, especially some possible routes of migration of bacteria to the cerebrospinal fluid. Dermal sinus tracts are common skin manifestations seen with spinal dysraphism and may be associated with recurrent meningitis. Here, we present a case of a 2-month-old girl who had a small dimple on the lower lumbosacral area. She was attacked twice by purulent bacterial meningitis due to a dermal sinus tract and a tethered cord. She was treated with the excision of the tract, the removal of the dermoid and the detethering of the cord. Staphylococcus and Klebsiella were cultured separately and assumed to be causative agents. The lesion was suspected on the physical examination and demonstrated by lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging.

Keyword

Recurrent meningitis; Dermal sinus; Spinal dysraphism

MeSH Terms

Bacteria
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Dermoid Cyst
Female
Humans
Infant
Klebsiella
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Meningitis
Meningitis, Bacterial*
Physical Examination
Skin Manifestations
Spina Bifida Occulta*
Spinal Dysraphism
Staphylococcus