Meningitis

Question 1

Aetiologies?

Answer 1

Infective - meningococcal, pneumococcalInflammatory Drug induced Malignant

Question 2

Pathology?

Answer 2

Infection enters through cranial cavity openings Acute bacterial causes meningeal congestion with neutrophils –> pus Chronic is green exudate with adhesions Viral = lymphocytic inflammation

Question 3

Signs and Symptoms?

Answer 3

Meningism = stiff neck, fever, headache, kerning’s sign, photophobiaOthers = pleuritic pain, petechial rash, focal signs, shock, AMS, seizures

Question 4

Investigations and findings?

Answer 4

CT - contra/indicat. LPLumbar puncture - CSF findings high protein, high neutrophils, high pressureSerologyBlood culture FBC, U+Es LFT Glucose - hypoglycaemia Coag

Question 5

Management?

Answer 5

ABCDIV antibiotics (cephalosporin)Antivirals ITU admission

Question 6

Complications?

Answer 6

DeathReduced life expectancyFNS