Infection and inflammation of CNS Flashcards
(17 cards)
What are the 3 types of CNS?
Main types:
* Meningitis
* Encephalitis
* Brain abscesses
What are the three layers of protective tissues (called meninges) that cover the central nervous system (CNS):
- Dura mater: The tough, outermost layer.
- Arachnoid mater: The middle layer, which has a space underneath called the subarachnoid space where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flows, cushioning the brain and spinal cord.
- Pia mater: The thin, innermost layer that closely follows the brain and spinal cord’s surface.
What is meningitis?
Which is an inflammation of the meninges (the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord).
How is meningitis caused?
often caused by bacterial or viral infections, but can also be fungal or parasitic.
How does meningitis spread?
- Through the bloodstream
- By traveling along nerves
- Directly from nearby infections (e.g., sinusitis or ear infections)
- Trauma or birth defect
What are the effects?
Swelling can slow cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow, increasing pressure in the skull.
What are the symptoms?
Infants: Fever, refusal to eat, vomiting, irritability, neck stiffness, staring, pale skin, difficulty waking, and unusual body movements.
Children/Adults: Stiff neck, headache, fever, vomiting, light sensitivity, drowsiness, joint pain, and seizures.
What is Meningococcal disease?
a severe type of bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis. It is common in children and can be very dangerous
What is the key sign?
Small red or purple spots caused by bleeding under the skin. If you press a glass against the rash and it doesn’t fade, it is a sign of a serious infection and a medical emergency.
What is encephalitis?
which is an inflammation of the brain tissue, often caused by a virus.
What are the common symptoms?
Fever, headache, stiff neck, increased pressure in the skull (intracranial pressure or ICP)
What are the causes?
Commonly spread by viruses, especially those carried by mosquitoes (e.g., Murray Valley virus, West Nile virus) or by the herpes simplex virus (cold sores
What are brain abscesses?
which are pockets of pus in the brain, usually caused by infections from bacteria, yeast, or fungi that spread to the central nervous system (CNS)
What are the causes?
Infections from outside the CNS
What is the appearance on scans?
Show as ring-shaped areas on imaging.
Gender difference?
Men get brain abscesses twice as often as women
What are the symptoms?
- Headache
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Issues with senses or communication
