A Case of Ketorolac-Induced Aseptic Meningitis

Cureus. 2024 Mar 31;16(3):e57349. doi: 10.7759/cureus.57349. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Abstract

Drug-induced aseptic meningitis is a rare condition that occurs because of an adverse reaction to medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotics. Unlike bacterial or viral meningitis, aseptic meningitis is not caused by an infection, but rather by an inflammatory response. This condition creates a challenge since patients with aseptic meningitis often present with classic clinical meningeal symptoms, including fever, headache, and neck stiffness. We present a case of a patient with NSAID-induced aseptic meningitis and highlight the importance for healthcare providers to have a high index of suspicion for drug-induced aseptic meningitis in patients presenting with symptoms of meningitis with negative cerebrospinal fluid analysis and culture.

Keywords: aseptic meningitis; cerebrospinal fluid (csf); drug-induced aseptic meningitis; meningeal sign; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids).

Publication types

  • Case Reports