Rhombencephalitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes with striking involvement of trigeminal nerve on MR imaging

Abstract

The listeria rhombencephalitis is an uncommon and severe infection of the brainstem, usually occurring in healthy adults with a typical biphasic picture. A prodrome of fever, headache, nausea and vomiting followed by abrupt neurological symptoms. A stiff neck is present in half of the cases and positive culture in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in about 40% of the cases. Mortality is high and serious sequelae are common. We report a case of a patient with involvement of the brainstem and a favorable outcome.