Infections of the NS

Question 1

encephalitis

Answer 1

infection/inflammation of the brain substance

Question 2

investigations for encephalitis

Answer 2

blood culture

imaging (CT scan)

lumbar puncture

EEG

Question 3

myelitis

Answer 3

infection/inflammation of the spinal cord

Question 4

meningitis

Answer 4

infection/inflammation of the meninges

Question 5

investigations for meningitis

Answer 5

no imaging!

blood culture

lumbar puncture

Question 6

what is the most common cause of encephalitis in the UK?

Answer 6

Herpes Simplex encephalitis

Question 7

brain abscess

Answer 7

localised area of pus in the brain

Question 8

subdural empyema

Answer 8

thin layer of pus between the dura and arachnoid membranes

Question 9

clinical features of brain abscess and empyema

Answer 9

headache

seizures/ dysphasia etc

raised ICP

depressed conscious level

Question 10

management of brain abscess

Answer 10

surgical drain

penicillin

Question 11

organism present in brain abscess

Answer 11

streptococci

Question 12

Lyme disease is vector born caused by a

Answer 12

tick

Question 13

3 stages of lyme disease

Answer 13

early localised infection/ rash/ flu like symptoms

disseminated infection (weeks to months)/ musculoskeletal and neurologic involvement

chronic infection (months to years)/ can occur after latency/ neurologic involvement