Question

Neurological complications of meningitis include all of the following except

• A. Seizures
• B. Increased Intracranial Pressure
• C. Cerebral Hematoma
• D. Subdural Effusions

Hint:

Seizures, raised ICP and subdural effusions are classic meningitis complications; a brain parenchymal hematoma is not.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Recall the common neurological complications of meningitis.
Inflammation of the meninges can spread to nearby brain tissue and vessels. The complications seen often are seizures, raised intracranial pressure from brain swelling, subdural effusions or empyema (mainly in infants), hydrocephalus, cranial nerve palsies, and venous sinus thrombosis.

Step 2: Check seizures.
Seizures are a well known complication of bacterial meningitis, caused by cortical irritation, fever, electrolyte shifts such as low sodium, or vascular injury. This is a true complication, so option (A) is not the answer.

Step 3: Check increased intracranial pressure.
Meningeal inflammation causes cerebral edema and blocks normal cerebrospinal fluid flow, which raises intracranial pressure. This is one of the most feared complications and a true one, so option (B) is not the answer.

Step 4: Check subdural effusions.
Subdural effusions are common in infants with bacterial meningitis, especially with Haemophilus influenzae or pneumococcus, from inflamed bridging veins leaking fluid into the subdural space. This is a true complication, so option (D) is not the answer.

Step 5: Check cerebral hematoma.
A cerebral hematoma is a collection of blood within the brain tissue, typically from trauma, a ruptured aneurysm, or a bleeding disorder. Meningitis itself does not directly cause bleeding into the brain substance. It is not listed as a standard complication of meningitis, so this is the one that does not belong.

Final Answer:
Cerebral hematoma is not a recognized neurological complication of meningitis. \[ \boxed{\text{Cerebral Hematoma}} \]