Impairment of respiratory rhythmogenesis and sequelae of bacterial meningitis

A 9-year-old boy with respiratory disturbance associated with medullary lesions after pneumococcal meningitis is reported. Although he lives a normal daily life, he cannot cough or sneeze. A polysomnographic study revealed a low respiration rate and an irregular respiratory rhythm not only during RE...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pediatric neurology 1995-05, Vol.12 (4), p.357-360
Main Authors: Hasegawa, Takeshi, Kohyama, Jun, Kohji, Toshihiko, Shimohira, Masayuki, Iwakawa, Yoshihide
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Child
Humans
Male
Medulla Oblongata - pathology
Meningitis, Pneumococcal - pathology
Meningitis, Pneumococcal - physiopathology
Respiratory Mechanics - physiology
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Summary:A 9-year-old boy with respiratory disturbance associated with medullary lesions after pneumococcal meningitis is reported. Although he lives a normal daily life, he cannot cough or sneeze. A polysomnographic study revealed a low respiration rate and an irregular respiratory rhythm not only during REM sleep but also during slow wave sleep, and marked desaturation during sleep. Respiratory function tests including CO 2 response revealed normal values. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated bilateral small lesions in the medulla. This patient is unusual because respiratory rhythm is impaired, without decreased ventilatory capacity or CO 2 response, supporting the possibility that rhythmogenetic respiratory neurons are located in a limited area of the human medulla.
ISSN:0887-8994
1873-5150
DOI:10.1016/0887-8994(95)00051-G