Korean Journal of Critical Care Medicine  2017;32(2):211-217

doi:10.4266/kjccm.2016.00283

Extensive and Progressive Cerebral Infarction after Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection.

Yu Hyeon CHOI ; Hyung Joo JEONG ; Bongjin LEE ; Hong Yul AN ; Eui Jun LEE ; June Dong PARK

Keywords

cerebral infarction; child; mycoplasma pneumoniae; thrombosis; vasculitis

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Acute cerebral infarctions are rare in children, however, they can occur as a complication of a Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection due to direct invasion, vasculitis, or a hypercoagulable state. We report on the case of a 5-year-old boy who had an extensive stroke in multiple cerebrovascular territories 10 days after the diagnosis of MP infection. Based on the suspicion that the cerebral infarction was associated with a macrolide-resistant MP infection, the patient was treated with levofloxacin, methyl-prednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin, and enoxaparin. Despite this medical management, cerebral vascular narrowing progressed and a decompressive craniectomy became necessary for the patient's survival. According to laboratory tests, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and clinical manifestations, the cerebral infarction in this case appeared to be due to the combined effects of hypercoagulability and cytokineinduced vascular inflammation.