Rheumatoid Meningitis: Neurologic Manifestation and Pathologic
Findings

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 30(4); 2012 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2012;30(4): 301-304.

류마티스수막염: 신경계 증상과 병리 소견

이기정, 임수환 김도환 a 김승우 이문규 조양제 이병인 허 경 김세훈 a

연세대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실, 연세대학교 의과대학 병리학교실 a

Rheumatoid Meningitis: Neurologic Manifestation and Pathologic Findings

Ki Jeong Lee

Department of Neurology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Department of Pathology a , Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Rheumatoid meningitis, one of the most severe complications of rheumatoid arthritis, presents various symptoms such as headache, confusion, loss of consciousness, seizure, fever, and focal neurological deficits. A 63-year-old man with the history of rheumatoid arthritis presented with intermittent left leg weakness, seizures and later developed fever and confusion. Brain MRI demonstrated leptomeningeal enhancement in right fronto-parietal area. Brain biopsy revealed multifocal suppurative inflammation. After aggressive immunosuppressive treatment, he had gradually recovered and the lesion was reduced on a follow-up MRI. Key Words: Meningitis, Rheumatoid arthritis