Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Causing Hemorrhagic Encephalomyelitis and Spinal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Case Report

We are writing to present an interesting and novel case from our practice of a patient who presented with altered mental status and a rapidly progressive paraplegia as well as high fevers and pancytopenia. A bone marrow biopsy was diagnostic of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and MRI showed hemorrhagic encephalitis and spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage. This case demonstrates the diverse neurological symptoms with which HLH presents, including spinal cord pathology. The astute neurologist should consider this diagnosis in the appropriate clinical context and diagnosis may require imaging to the complete neuraxis.