A Bleeding Conundrum: Intraventricular Hemorrhage and Gross Hematuria Secondary to Pneumosepsis

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Authors: Rania Boukhlet, Rawshan Khalid A Alyoubi, Tuqa Sayed Moosa Jaafar Marzooq, Zainab Fahad AAlsharif, Yara A. Majeed Shakeeb, Zahra Abdulaziz AlSaeed, Salman Ahmed AlNasooh, Loay Ismaeel Moosa Alsaegh, Mohammad Haytham Alfalayleh, Nawar Abdulla Mahdi, Teeb Saeed Alkhanaizi, Yusuf Ahmed Almalki
+1 more Sara Abduulhusain Alaali
Cited by: 0

Abstract

We report the case of a 67-year-old Saudi man with multiple comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and chronic kidney disease, who presented with progressive shortness of breath, altered mental status, and fever. His symptoms began five days prior with productive cough, pleuritic chest discomfort, and generalized body aches, initially managed at home. On presentation, he was hypotensive, tachycardic, hypoxemic, and disoriented, with signs of respiratory distress and new ecchymoses. Laboratory evaluation revealed leukocytosis, elevated inflammatory markers, acute kidney injury, and coagulopathy. Chest radiography demonstrated new bilateral multifocal pneumonic patches compared with prior baseline imaging. Blood cultures grew Streptococcus pneumoniae, confirming pneumococcal sepsis. During intensive care unit admission, he developed gross hematuria, progressive thrombocytopenia, prolonged coagulation times, and evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Acute neurological deterioration prompted urgent CT imaging, which revealed extensive intraventricular hemorrhage with early hydrocephalus. Despite aggressive supportive care, including hemodynamic stabilization, transfusions, renal replacement therapy, and tailored antibiotics, the patient developed refractory shock and multiorgan failure. After multidisciplinary discussion and family consultation, care was transitioned to comfort measures, and he subsequently died. This case illustrates the fulminant and often fatal nature of pneumococcal sepsis complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation and intracranial hemorrhage, emphasizing the need for early recognition, close monitoring, and multidisciplinary management in high-risk patients.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections Sepsis Diagnosis and Treatment Bacterial Infections and Vaccines

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Medical and Health Studies
Volume
7
Issue
2
Pages
01–07
Publication date
18 January 2026