Meningococcal Abscess Detected by MRI
MRI identifies rare intracranial complication following normal computed tomography
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By
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Julie Greenbaum
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March 27, 2026
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Objective:
To report a case of cerebellar abscess in a child with meningococcal meningitis and highlight the diagnostic advantages of MRI over CT.
Key Findings:
- Cerebellar abscess is rare in invasive meningococcal infections, especially in older children.
- MRI is more sensitive than CT for early detection of parenchymal infection.
- The patient had favorable outcomes with medical management and serial MRI monitoring.
Interpretation:
The case underscores the importance of MRI in diagnosing atypical presentations of meningitis and monitoring lesion progression.
Limitations:
- Absence of meningococcal serogroup data.
- Lack of complement testing.
- Limited long-term neurodevelopmental follow-up.
Conclusion:
Early recognition and targeted antimicrobial therapy, along with serial MRI monitoring, can lead to favorable outcomes without surgical intervention.
