Teaching NeuroImages: Hemimeningitis mimicking acute ischemic stroke

A 78-year-old man with sudden-onset right-sided weakness and mutism had no history of fever, seizures, or headache. On examination, abulia, transcortical motor aphasia, and right dense hemiplegia were noted. Contrast-enhanced brain MRI suggested meningitis (figure 1) and ruled out stroke (figure 2). On CSF analysis, lymphocytic (94%) pleocytosis (163 cells/mm3), abundant Gram-positive cocci, and hyperproteinorrachy (48 mg/dL) with normal CSF:serum glucose ratio were noted. After 14 days of ceftriaxone plus vancomycin and recovery of hemiparesis (MRC 4/5), speech (improved fluency), and CSF–pleocytosis resolution (2 cells/mm3), the patient was discharged. Localized meningitis is rare. We found 2 reports: one stroke mimic1 and another associated with necrotizing vasculitis.2