RECENT reports in the pediatric literature have emphasized the occurrence of subdural effusions as a complication of purulent meningitis. This has become apparent only since the advent of therapy with antibiotics. The majority have occurred in infections with Hemophilus influenzae and Diplococcus pneumoniae, with only four cases reported due to Neisseria meningitidis. As the number of papers on this subject increases, it becomes obvious that effusions may occur in purulent meningitis caused by a variety of organisms and that no specificity in this regard may be ascribed to any one in particular.
It is the purpose of this paper to present the fifth case of meningitis caused by N. meningitidis in an infant complicated by the presence of bilateral encysted subdural effusions. The literature covering all the reported cases of subdural effusion occurring in the course of recovery from bacterial meningitis is reviewed. The clinical aspects are discussed, as well