Acute Bacterial Meningitis Complicated by Brain Herniation Shortly after Lumbar Puncture: A Case Report

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Brain herniation is a known complication of acute bacterial meningitis. Brain CT is requested before the lumbar puncture to rule out increased intracranial pressure. Delay antibiotic administration, secondary to brain CT leads to a poor clinical outcome.CASE PROFILE: 10 year old boy had previous history of skull fracture and pneumococcal meningitis, presented to ER with history of fever, headache and vomiting for 2 days. Clinically, he was fully conscious and vitally stables with positive meningeal signs and normal other examinations. Brain CT was normal before the lumbar puncture. The lumbar puncture came suggestive of meningitis in the form of leukocytosis with low glucose and high protein. Antibiotics were given after the lumbar puncture. Two hours after the lumbar puncture, the patient had deteriorations in the level of consciousness and respiratory arrest followed by a coma. Brain CT was repeated which showed cerebellar herniation and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Neuroprotective strategy was performed without improvements. Blood and CSF cultures showed pneumococcal growth. After onne week, brain death was confirmed.CONCLUSION: Brain herniation is a severe complication of bacterial meningitis. Clinical findings are the best indicators to delay the LP and to predict the risk of herniation. Normal brain CT doesn’t necessarily mean LP is safe. Early antibiotics administrations improve the mortality and morbidity. Unnecessary CT before the LP lead to a delay of antibiotic administration and poor outcome.