Neurology Flashcards
(128 cards)
Define meningitis
Infection of the meninges associated with infection
Types of meningitis
Bacterial - serious infection with 5-10% mortality
- 0-3 months = GBS, E.coli, listeria monocytogenes
- 1 month - 6 years = Neisseria meningitides, streptococcus pneumonia
- 50 + = listeria monocytogenes, strep pneumonia
Viral - more common, less severe, usually self-limiting
Risk factors for meningitis
Less than 5 or 65 + Non-immunisation Immunodeficiency Cancer - leukaemia and lymphoma Asplenia - increased risk of overwhelming infection with encapsulated bacteria - strep pneumoniae, n. meningitis Summer and autumn Exposure to mosquitos
Pathophysiology of meningitis
Pathogens reach the CNS by haematogenous spread or direct extension
Cross BBB via infection of endothelial cells or migrating leukocytes
Pathogens multiple in subarachnoid space stimulating immune response
Release of inflammatory mediators and activated leucocytes and endothelial damage causes
- cerebral oedema
- raised ICP
- decreased cerebral blood flow
Presentation of meningitis
Headache N+V Photophobia Neck stiffness - resistance to passive neck flexion Fever Altered mental state/confusion Seizures - strep pneumonia and h. influenzea Infants - hypothermia - irritability - lethargy - poor feeding - apnoea - high pitched cry Focal neurological deficit - dilated non-reactive pupil - ocular motility abnormality - abnormal visual field defects - gaze palsy - arm or leg drift - facial palsy - balance problems Rash Kerning's sign - severe stiffness of hamstring causing inability to straight leg when hip is flexed at 90 Brudzinski's sign - severe neck stiffness causes patient hip and knees to flex when the neck is flexed
Ix for meningitis
LP
CSF gram stain, culture, viral PCR and antigen detection - identify causative organism
Blood culture
FBC - leukocytosis, anaemia and thrombocytopenia
CRP - elevated
Blood gas - acidosis
Clotting profile
CT head - brain infarct, cerebral oedema, hydrocephalus in bacterial
MRI - if focal neuro signs present
Features of meningitis of LP
Bacterial - polymorphonocular pleocytosis - elevated protein - low glucose Viral - elevated WCC - normal or elevated protein - normal or low glucose
When is LP contraindicated
Cardioresp instability Focal neuro signs Signs of raised ICP Coagulopathy Thrombocytopenia
Mx of meningitis
Viral
- supportive care
- antiviral therapy - HSV, varicella zoster or CMV
Bacterial
- empirical abx until organism identified - meropenem 1g
- ceftriaxone for strep pneumoniae and h.influenzae
- gentamycin and ampicillin for GBS
- benzylpenicillin for n.menigitidis
- dexamethasone
Complications of meningitis
Hearing impairment - inflammation of cochlear hair cells Local vasculitis - cranial nerve palsies Local cerebral infarction Subdural effusion Hydrocephalus - fibrin blocks Cerebral abscess
DDx for meningitis
Encephalitis
- abnormal cerebral function with fever
- ix with CT or MRI head
Prophylaxis for meningitis
· Rifampicin/ciprofloxacin to eradicate nasopharyngeal carriage of all household contacts for meningococcal meningitis or Hib infection
· Household contacts of patient who has had men C should receive the men C vaccine
Define encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain parenchyma associated with neurological dysfunction
Epidemiology of encephalitis
Peak incidences at < 1 year and > 65 years
Risk factors for encephalitis
<1 or > 65 years Immunodeficiency Viral infection Insect bites Swimming in warm freshwater Vaccination - a/w acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
Pathophysiology of encephalitis
Most commonly caused by viruses - herpesvirus - enterovirus Pathogens reach CNS by haematogenous spread or retrograe axonal transport Colonise the brain paranchyma
Presentation of encephalitis
Insidious onset Fever Rash Altered mental state and confusion Focal neurological deficit Meningismus Signs of resp/GI infection Seizures
Ix for encephalitis
FBC - elevated WCC Peripheral blood smear LFTs - abnormal in rickettsia, CMV, EBV Blood culture Throat swab Nasopharyngeal aspirate Sputum culture LP CT head - hypodense lesion MRI head - hyperintense lesion, oedema and breakdown of BBB EEC - background slowing
Mx of encephalitis
IV acyclovir
DDx of encephalitis
Meningitis
Define idiopathic intracranial hypertension
Raised ICP with no known cause
Epidemiology of IIH
Incidence of 1/100,000
Mean age at diagnosis 30
Risk factors for IIH
Female Weight gain Sleep apnoea Nalidixic acid use Nitrofurantoin Isotretinoin Thyroid replacement therapy Previous inflammation - meningitis
Pathophysiology of IIH
Increased resistance to CSF absorption via arachnoid granulations and/or nerve root sheaths
ICP must then rise for CSF to be absorbed