CNS Infection Falkenberg Flashcards
What are some ways you can get CNS infections?
bacteria viruses fungus parasites others, lyme disease, syphilis
What is a common route of CNS infection?
hematogenous/venous spread
What kind of route of infection is this; abcess, respiratory, GI/GU, pericranial sites-sinuses, middle ear?
heamtogenous/venous spread
What are 2 less common routes of CNS infection?
penetrating trauma and entry through congenital defects
What are the three types of CNS infection?
meningitis
encephalitis
myelitis
What is meningitis?
infection of meninges ESPECIALLY arachnoid
What is encephalitis?
infection of the brain
What is myelitis?
infection of spinal cord
T/F
THe brain and spinal cord repair well
F, they do not repair well
Brain is (enclosed/closed)
enclosed
Since the brain is enclosed what does this mean for clinical purposes?
it means that increased cranial pressure can lead to brain herniation and necrosis!!! OH NO!
What can CNS infections ultimately lead to?
sepsis! :(
What are the signs and symptoms of acute bacterial meningitis?
Similar to migraines
i.e. headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, meningismus, altered consciousness
In children you dont want to miss acute bacterial meningitis, what should clue you in to check to see if the child has it?
If child is less than 28 days old and has a fever greater than 100.6 then you should give full septic work-up and lumbar puncture
What are causes of acute bacterial meningitis?
S. pneumonia H. Influenze L. monocytogenes Group B steptococcus N. meningitidis
How do you rule out a space occupying lesion?
CT of head
What are some tools to diagnose bacterial meningitis?
lumbar punctures
CT
blood cultures
What will a gram stain tell you?
will tell you if you have bacteria :)