Austrian syndrome: a case report and review of the literature
- 1Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Medicine, Combe Park, Bath, BA1 3NG, UK
- 2Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Cardiology, Combe Park, Bath, BA13NG, UK
- Kate Atkinson, kateatkinson{at}doctors.org.uk
- Published 15 September 2009
Summary
A usually fit and well 69-year-old woman presented with headache and altered consciousness. Initial clinical findings and investigations were consistent with a diagnosis of pneumococcal meningitis and pneumonia. Cultures of blood and cerebrospinal fluid grew Streptococcus pneumoniae. The patient continued to spike temperatures and developed cardiac failure. A transoesophageal echocardiogram demonstrated a large vegetation of the aortic valve causing severe aortic regurgitation. A diagnosis of Austrian syndrome, the triad of pneumococcal meningitis, pneumonia and endocarditis, was made. The patient has completed a course of appropriate antibiotic therapy and is awaiting aortic valve surgery.
Footnotes
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Competing interests: None.
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Patient consent: Patient/guardian consent was obtained for publication.
