Infections Flashcards
Potential spaces in the brain that can be infected
Epidural Subdural Subarachnoid Intraparenchymal Draining veins/sinuses
Abscess
epidural infection (enclosed)
tend to be ocal
can present like tumours
could be due to osteomylitis
Empyema
subdural infection
can spread
mass effect, push brain over
Meningitis
subarachnoid
Encephalitis
diffuse parenchymal infection
Brain abscess
parenchymall focal infection
like a brain tumour
Septic thrombophlebitis
infected venous clot
Hematogenous sources
most agents
Contiguous sources
sinus/ear/face
bacterial
Direct inoculation
trauma/surgery
bacterial
Nervous sources
HSV
VZV
CSF studies
increased protein: may mean inflammation causing leaky blood vessels
high gluc: usually diabetes
low gluc: fungal/TB
Electrophoresis for protein peaks to identify unusual infections
Bacterial meningitis
Life-threatening
change in LOC
Bacterial meningitis CSF
+++ WBC
+++ PMN
low glucose
Viral meningitis
self-limiting
no change in LOC