Encephalitis Flashcards
What is encephalitis?
inflammation of brain parenchyma
Give 2 epidemiological facts about encephalitis
Most frequent + severe in children + elderly.
6/100,000/year
What is the most common cause of encephalitis? Give 5 examples
Viral infection HSV VZV EBV Adenovirus Coxsackie
List 4 non-viral causes of encephalitis
Bacterial infection: TB, Listeria, Syphilis
Fungal
Parasitic
AI
What may lead to encephalitis in immunocompromised patients?
CMV
Toxoplasmosis
Listeria
List 6 symptoms of encephalitis
Flu-like- fever, headache Vomiting Neck stiffness Photophobia Behavioural changes Drowsiness/ Confusion
List 8 signs of encephalitis on examination
Reduced consciousness Deteriorating GCS Seizures Pyrexia Signs of Meningism Signs of raised ICP Focal neurological signs MMSE may reveal cognitive/ psychiatric disturbance
What triad provides the clinical hallmark for acute encephalitis?
Fever
Headache
Altered mental status
What 3 signs of meningism may present in encephalitis?
Neck stiffness
Photophobia
Kernig’s test positive
What signs of raised ICP may present in encephalitis?
Cushing’s Response: HTN, bradycardia + irregular breathing
Papilloedema
What 7 bloods should you take in suspected encephalitis?
FBC: high lymphocytes (indicates viral cause)
U+Es: SIADH may occur as a result of encephalitis
Glucose
Viral serology
ABG
LFT
ESR + CRP
Why perform CT imaging in suspected encephalitis?
Exclude mass lesion
HSV causes oedema of the temporal lobe on MRI
What would a lumbar puncture show in encephalitis?
High lymphocytes High monocytes High protein Glucose usually normal Viral PCR analysis
