Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) onset during meningitis and sepsis

Abstract

A 39-year-old man with a high fever, headache, and stiff neck, and Kernig and Brudzinski signs admitted in June 2004 had a WBC of 10,680/microL and CRP of 10.5mg/dL. Streptococcus pneumoniae was detected in blood and spinal fluid culture, but brain CT was normal. Meningitis was diagnosed and antibiotics and corticosteroids begun. After four days of treatment, his blood test and spinal fluid data had improved, but his consciousness had deteriorated. ADEM was diagnosed by the clinical course and brain MRI (T2-weighted image) that showed high-intensity lesions in the white cerebral matter, and steroid pulse treatment was begun on day 4 after admission. His consciousness disturbance rapidly disappeared and brain MRI showed that the multiple high-intensity lesions had ameliorated. The patient was released after 40 days of treatment.