CNS Emergencies I Flashcards
When do you want to think about a possible CNS infection?
Fever, HA and neurologic signs/sxs
What might be seen in survivors of bacterial meningitis?
Neurologic sequela
How can bacteria get into CNS?
Bloodstream or contiguous spread (ex sinus infection)
Pathogenesis of bacterial meningitis
Inflammation damages BBB causing increased per so alterations in protein and glucose transport–progressive cerebral edema with increased ICP and decreased cerebral perfusion leads to neurologic damage
Etiology of bacterial meningitis from exposure during delivery (up to 4 wks old)
E coli, Group B strep
Etiology of bacterial meningitis from colonization from nasopharynx
Sinusitis, otitis media, mastoiditis–strep pneumo
Etiology of bacterial meningitis from crowded conditions
Military, college–N meningitides
Etiology of bacterial meningitis from head trauma
Staph species
Etiology of bacterial meningitis from post-neurosurgical procedures
Staph species, gram (-)
2 most common organisms of bacterial meningitis
N meningitides and s pneumoniae
Risk factors for s pneumoniae infection
Cochlear implants, fractures of face/skull
Who is listeria monocytogenes meningitis seen in?
Elderly and neonates
What meningitis do you worry about with breaks in the skin?
Coag neg staph or s. aureus
Which meningitis do you worry about with unvaccinated children and adults?
H. influenzae
How might bacterial meningitis present?
Progressively over a couple days or after febrile illness
Acutely with signs and sxs of sepsis (rapid progression over several hrs and cerebra edema)
Manifestations of bacterial meningitis
HA, photophobia, n/v/anorexia, focal neurologic deficits (weakness, cranial nerve palsies), seizures, AMS, nuchal rigidity, papilledema and increased ICP
Classic triad of bacterial meningitis
Fever
Nuchal rigidity
AMS
What organism produces a petechial rash and palpable purpura?
N meningitides
Tests for bacterial meningitis
Kernigs sign: won’t extend knee with hip flexed
Brudzinskis: flexion of hips with passive flexion of neck
Joint accentuation test: pt rotates his or her head 2 times per second and positive test is exacerbation of existing HA
Diagnostics for bacterial meningitis
Blood cultures x 2!!! (before abx)
Maybe CT
LP for CSF analysis
CBC with diff, CMP, ESR, CRP, serum and CSF glucose
Gold standard for bacterial meningitis diagnosis
CSF culture
CSF findings for bacterial meningitis
Increased WBC (>1000 with mostly neutrophils) Decreased glucose (<40) Increased protein (100-500) \+ gram stain and culture Increased opening pressure CSF/blood glucose
Recommendation to get a CT before LP
With 1+ of following factors: Immunocompromised History of CNS disease New onset seizure Papilledema Abnormal LOC Focal neurological deficit
What might happen if there is increased ICP during an LP?
Mass lesion present can result in cerebral herniation
What do gram positive diplococci suggest?
Pneumococcal infection
What do gram negative diplococci suggest?
Meningococcal infection
What do gram negative coccobacilli suggest?
H influenzae infection
What do gram positive rods and coccobacilli suggest?
L monocytogenes infection
What is predictive of worse outcomes with bacterial meningitis?
AMS, seizures or hypotension
What is started immediately after blood cultures and LP
Empiric IV abx and dexamethasone (glucocorticoid) at same time or shortly before
(if waiting for LP til after CT, still start the abx after cultures)
Empiric tx for newborn meningitis and the causative organism
Ampicillin + cefotaxime OR gentamycin
(Group B strep, E coli, L monocytogenes)
**do not use Vanco when 4 wks and younger
Empiric tx for meningitis at 1-23 mos and the causative organism
Vanco + ceftriaxone OR cefotaxime + dexamethasone
Strep pneum, H flu, E coli, N meningitides
Empiric tx for meningitis at 2-20 yrs and the causative organism
Vanco + ceftriaxone OR cefotaxime + dexamethasone
S pneum or N meningitides
Empiric tx for meningitis when >50 YO and the causative organism
Ampicillin + Vanco + ceftriaxone OR cefotaxime + Dexamethasone
(Strep pneum, L monocytogenes, gram - bacilli, N meningitides)
Empiric tx for meningitis when immunocompromised and the causative organism
Ampicillin + Vanco + Cefepime OR meropenem + Dexamethasone
Strep pneum, L monocytogenes, gram - bacilli, N meningitides
What should be switched if there is a penicillin allergy?
Vanco + Moxifloxacin + Bactrim replace Ampicillin in >50YO and immunocompromised
Empiric tx for meningitis due to contiguous spread from basilar skull fracture and the causative organism
Ampicillin + cefotaxime OR gentamycin
Group A beta hemolytic strep, strep pneum or H flu
Empiric tx for meningitis due to contiguous spread from penetrating trauma and post-neurosurgery and the causative organism
Vanco + ceftazidime OR cefepime OR meropenem
s aureus, pseudomons, coag neg staph
What is the benefit of adding dexamethasone?
Decreased rate of hearing loss and neurologic sequelae and decreases morbidity and mortality in PNEUMOCOCCAL meningitis only
What must be added to the steroid if cultures are positive for S pneumoniae?
Rifampin (better CNS coverage)
Meningitis management algorithm for pt meeting criteria for CT before LP
Blood cultures STAT
Dexamethasone + empiric abx
CT of head
(if contraindication for LP like increased ICP then continue med regimen)
Perform LP if not contraindicated
CSF for gram stain, cultures, cell count, glucose, protein
Meningitis management algorithm for pt not meeting criteria for LP before CT
Blood cultures LP Empiric abx + dexamethasone CSF sent for gram stain, cultures, cell count, protein, glucose Tailor tx based on results
Meningitis management algorithm for CSF gram stain positive
If gram positive diplococci, target abx therapy to strep pneum and continue dexamethasone and rifampin
All other bacteria, target abx and d/c dexamethasone
Meningitis management algorithm for gram stain neg but other CSF findings consistent with meningitis
Continue empiric tx and dexamethasone
Complications of bacterial meningitis
Septic shock
DIC
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Possible neurologic long term complications (impaired mental status or cognition, sensorineural hearing loss)
Important vaccines to prevent bacterial meningitis
S pneum, N meningities, h flu
What is used for post exposure prophlyaxis for bacterial meningitis?
Cipro, rifampin or ceftriaxone (in pregnant pts)
What is aseptic meningitis?
Evidence of meningeal inflammation but bacterial cultures are neg–sometimes called viral meningitis
Presentation of aseptic meningitis
Similar to bacterial but usually less severe sxs so just supportive care
Most common cause of aseptic meningitis
Enterovirus (think with diarrhea too)
Other viral causes are coxsackie and echovirus (summer and autumn), HSV-2, VZV, mumps, HIV, west nile etc
Other infectious causes of aseptic meningitis
Mycobacteria
Fungi (crypto, cocci)
Spirochetes (treponema or borrelia)
Malignancy causing aseptic meningitis?
Uncommon but may see due to direct invasion of mets into meninges
Leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, breast, lung or GI CA
Drug induced aseptic meningitis?
Uncommon but exclude other diagnoses
Must tell if delayed hypersensitivity rxn or direct irritation
NSAIDs! also abx like bactrim, chemo or pyridium
Clinical manifestations of aseptic meningitis
HA, fever, n/v, maybe photophobia or nuchal rigidity