Induced hypothermia in adult community-acquired bacterial meningitis – more than just a possibility?

SummaryWe present the case series of adult community-acquired bacterial meningitis treated with hypothermia. The major criteria for therapeutic hypothermia (TH) was impaired carbon dioxide reactivity (CO2R) assessed by Transcranial Doppler (TCD). In patients without temporal acoustic window, minor criteria (optic nerve sheath diameter ≥ 6.0 mm plus GCS ≤ 8) were required. According to our, although limited experience, the use of mild hypothermia in selected patients with community-acquired bacterial meningitis accompanied with appropriate monitoring could be a promising treatment tool.