Neurology - part 2 Flashcards
What is meningitis?
Infection of the meninges
What is the difference between viral vs bacterial meningitis in terms of severity and frequency?
- Viral = more common, less severe
- Bacterial = less common, more severe
What are some risk factors for meningitis (4)?
- Immunocompromised
- Neonate
- Non-vaccinated
- University student
What are the most common viral causes of meningitis? (4)
- HSV (-2)
- VZV
- Enteroviruses (e.g. coxackie)
- Measles/ mumps
What are the most common bacterial causes of meningitis in 0-3 months (3)?
- GBS = mc
- Listeria monocytongenes
- E. coli
What are the most common causes of meningitis in 3 month - 6 year olds (3)?
- N. meningitidis
- S. pneumoniae
- H. influenziae (less common due to vaccinations)
What are the two most common causes of meningitis in 6 years - 60 years?
- N. meningitidis
- S. pneumoniae
What are the three most common causes in over 60s?
- N. meningitidis
- S. pneumoniae
- Listeria monocytogenes
What types of meningitis are immunocompromised at risk of (2)?
- Listeria monocytogenes
- Cyptococcus (fungal)
What type of bacteria are S. pneumoniae and GBS?
+ve coccus in chains
What type of bacteria is N. meningitidis?
-ve diplococcus
What type of bacteria is HIB?
-ve coccobacillus
What type of bacteria is listeria?
+ve bacillus
What are the signs/ symptoms of meningitis (7)?
- Meningism - headache, photophobia, neck stiffness
- N+V
- Fever
- Drowsiness
- Kernig
- Brudzinski
- Non-blanching purpuric rash
What is Kernig sign?
Flexing hip, then extending knee = PAIN
What is Brudzinski sign?
Flexing neck –> involuntary flexion of hips
How is meningitis investigated (2)?
- Bloods + cultures
- Lumbar puncture
CT not usually indicated unless signs of raised ICP
What would contraindicate/ delay a LP (3)?
- Sepsis/ meningococcal rash
- Severe illness
- Raised ICP
What are some signs of raised ICP (4)?
- Pappiloedema
- Seizures
- Focal neurological signs
- GCS < 12
What are the results of LP for bacteria vs viral vs fungal/TB in terms of appearance?
- Bacterial = cloudy
- Viral = clear
- Fungal/ TB = cloudy
What are the results of LP for bacteria vs viral vs fungal/TB in terms of glucose?
- Bacterial = low
- Viral = normal
- Fungal/ TB = low
What are the results of LP for bacteria vs viral vs fungal/TB in terms of protein?
- Bacterial = high
- Viral = normal
- Fungal/TB = high
What are the results of LP for bacteria vs viral vs fungal/TB in terms of WCC?
- Bacteria = neutrophils
- Viral = lymphocytes
- Fungal/TB = lymphocytes
What are the results of LP for bacteria vs viral vs fungal/TB in terms of opening pressure?
- Bacterial = raised
- Viral = normal
- Fungal/TB = normal or raised
How is meningitis treated?
- Under 3 months = IV cefotaxime + amoxicillin (for listeria)
- Over 3 months = ceftriaxone (or cefotaxime) + dexamethasone (+ amoxicillin if over 50)
When should dexamethasone not be given for meningitis (2)?
- NBP rash/ septic shock
- Under 3 months
What should be given if meningitis is suspected in GP?
IM ben pen
What should be given to close contacts of those with meningitis?
- Ciprofloxacin + vaccine
- Rifampicin
Why is cefotaxime given in place of ceftriaxone in neonates?
Ceftriaxone can displace bilirubin causing kernicterus
What are some complications of meningitis (4)?
- Sensorineural hearing loss = mc
- Seizures
- Focal neurological deficits
- Waterhouse-friderichsen syndrome
What is Waterhouse-friderichsen syndrome?
Adrenal haemorrhage (due to meningococcal septicaemia) –> adrenal insufficiency –> shock
What is encephalitis?
Parenchymal
What is the cause of encephalitis (7)?
- HSV-1 - (95%)
- TB
- Lymes
- Meningitis
- CMV
- VZV
- Toxoplasmosis
What is another non-infective cause of encephalitis?
Autoimmune encephalitis
What antibodies are usually present in the CSF and blood of those with autoimmune encephalitis?
Anti NMDA-R antibodies
What are the signs/ symptoms of encephalitis (5)?
- Seizures
- Focal neurological deficit
- Reduced GCS + confusion
- Fever
- Headache
How is encephalitis investigated (3)?
- LP
- CT/ MRI
- EEG
How should CSF be analysed in those with suspected encephalitis?
PCR - for HSV, VZV, etc
What might an EEG show in those with encephalitis?
Periodic 2 Hz firing
How is encephalitis treated?
IV Aciclovir
What is a brain abscess?
Intracranial collection of pus
What are some risk factors for brain abscesses (4)?
- Immunocompromised (HIV, T2DM)
- Congenital heart disease + endocarditis
- Neurosurgery
- Local infection (e.g. ear, mastoiditis)
When are brain abscesses most common in life?
30-40 years old
What organisms most commonly cause brain abscesses (4)?
- Strep intermedius
- Staph aureus
- Strep pneumoniae
- TB (in immunocompromised)
also fungal, parasitic infections (toxoplasmosis)
What are the signs/ symptoms of a brain abscess (3)?
- Fever
- Headache
- Focal neurological sign
How would a spinal abscess present (3)?
- Lower back pain
- Fever
- Neurological signs (below lesion)
most have T2DM
How is a brain abscess diagnosed?
CT with contrast
What feature would a brain abscess CT show?
Ring enhancing lesion
How is brain abscess managed (2)?
- Surgical debridement
- IV Abx
What antibiotics are used for a brain abscess (3)?
- Ceftriaxone (broad spectrum -ve/ some +ve)
- Metronidazole (anaerobes)
- Vancomycin (if from trauma/ neurosurgery)
What constitutes brain death (3)?
- GCS 3 (comatose)
- Brainstem signs
- Apnoea > 5 min
What are 2 postures that may be held in patients who are comatosed?
- Decorticate
- Decerebrate
What is the decorticate position?
Fore-arms flexed to chest - lesion in the cortex
good prognosis
What is the decerebrate position?
Forearm extended, internally rotated and wrist flexed - lesion at brain stem
poor prognosis
What does it suggest if a decorticate position turns into a decerebrate position?
Tonsillar herniation/ coning
What is Gillian barre syndrome?
Immune mediated demyelination of the nerves in the PNS (Schwann cells)
What usually precedes guillian barre syndrome?
Gastroenteritis
or URTI