E125

BRAIN - Pneumococcal meningitis

Description
The surface of the brain is covered with a purulent exudate.
History
This woman was admitted at the age of 69 after having been found unconscious and incontinent in her home. Examination showed no central nervous system localizing signs; an ECG showed changes compatible with a recent anterior and old healed myocardial infarction. Prior to death she developed acute renal failure, and suffered grand mal seizures. At autopsy there was no obvious consolidation of the lung but microscopy showed a small area of bronchopneumonia. Pneumococci were recovered from the meninges.