Long survival following bacterial meningitis-associated brain destruction

J Child Neurol. 2006 Jul;21(7):591-5. doi: 10.1177/08830738060210070401.

Abstract

This report describes the brain autopsy of a boy who at age 4(1/2) years experienced an episode of fulminant Haemophilus influenzae type b bacterial meningitis, resulting in massive brain destruction and the clinical signs of brain death. However, medical intervention maintained him for an additional two decades. Subsequent autopsy revealed a calcified intracranial spherical structure weighing 750 g and consisting of a calcified shell containing grumous material and cystic spaces with no recognizable neural elements grossly or microscopically. This case represents an example of long survival of brain death with a living body.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Brain Death / pathology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Haemophilus / pathology*
  • Meningitis, Haemophilus / therapy