Meningitis
a brief word about etiologies
- Bacterial most feared/thought about
- Viral possible
- "Aseptic" = negative cultures. Autoimmune, malignancy, viral, drug-induced.
| Bacterial edition | |
|---|---|
| Etiology | As sequelae of ENT infection - leaky BBB, venous system with no valves makes it more possible, e.g. mastoiditis, orbital cellulitis. |
| Epidemiology | |
| Clinical presentation | Fever, nuchal rigidity, delirium (all 3 present in only about 40%). Headache. If seizure, consider Encephalitis |
| Pathogenesis | |
| Diagnostic investigations | Blood glucose LP CT - usually normal; consider CT venogram MRI only if LP impossible |
| Management | Notifiable disease Steroids only if suspected or proven pneumococcus Neisseria meningitidis requires droplet isolation (see public health things in that page) Complications: stroke, venous sinus thrombosis |