Treatment evaluation and diagnosis of a neonate with Group B streptococcus meningitis by using spinal ultrasonography

Abstract

Neonatal bacterial meningitis is a serious disease that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Moreover, early diagnosis and evaluation of its response to treatment can be challenging. Spinal ultrasonography (US) can detect inflammatory changes in meningitis. However, data on its usefulness are scarce. This prompted us to evaluate the relationship between spinal US findings and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cell count in a newborn with Group B streptococcus meningitis. Echogenicity and trabeculations in the posterior subarachnoid space and absence of spinal cord pulsations on spinal US were observed on admission and improved with reduction in the CSF cell count. Spinal US may be useful to evaluate the efficacy of treatment for neonatal bacterial meningitis, which may lead to a reduction in the need for lumbar punctures.