MUMPS INVOLVEMENT OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Abstract

It is of obvious military importance to recognize early the true nature of any meningeal infection in a large group of military personnel. Likewise, in civilian practice the early knowledge of the exact nature of a meningeal involvement may prove to be of the utmost importance in treatment though possibly not involving as many important epidemiologic consequences as when encountered in the military services. The possibility of mumps meningoencephalitis, which may occur prior to or in absence of the usual manifestations of mumps, is often overlooked in the differential diagnosis of cases showing signs of meningitis. One reason why this entity is frequently overlooked is the prevalent idea that mumps is primarily a disease of the parotid glands which on occasion is accompanied by secondary involvement of the gonads and central nervous system. It is becoming realized more and more, however, as pointed out by Wesselhoeft,1that mumps is