Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which part of the nervous system is affected by meningitis?
Which part of the nervous system is affected by meningitis?
- Spinal cord
- Peripheral nerves
- Brain parenchyma
- Meninges (correct)
Which of the following is NOT a type of CNS infection mentioned in the text?
Which of the following is NOT a type of CNS infection mentioned in the text?
- Meningitis (correct)
- Brain abscess
- Encephalitis
- Meningoencephalitis
What is the most common route of CNS infections?
What is the most common route of CNS infections?
- Haematogenous spread (correct)
- Direct spread from adjacent infected site
- Travel along nerves to the brain
- Through choroid plexus or other blood vessels of brain to subarachnoid space
Which of the following is NOT a clinical presentation of meningitis?
Which of the following is NOT a clinical presentation of meningitis?
Which of the following is NOT a CSF finding used to classify meningitis?
Which of the following is NOT a CSF finding used to classify meningitis?
What is the normal opening pressure of CSF?
What is the normal opening pressure of CSF?
Which of the following is NOT a potential sequelae of CNS infections?
Which of the following is NOT a potential sequelae of CNS infections?
Which of the following is NOT a route of infection for CNS infections?
Which of the following is NOT a route of infection for CNS infections?
Which part of the nervous system is affected by encephalitis?
Which part of the nervous system is affected by encephalitis?
Explain why infections of the central nervous system are considered a medical emergency.
Explain why infections of the central nervous system are considered a medical emergency.
Name the different types of CNS infections mentioned in the text.
Name the different types of CNS infections mentioned in the text.
What is the route of infection for CNS infections through hematogenous spread?
What is the route of infection for CNS infections through hematogenous spread?
What are the potential routes of direct spread for CNS infections?
What are the potential routes of direct spread for CNS infections?
Describe the clinical presentation of meningitis.
Describe the clinical presentation of meningitis.
How are the CSF findings used to classify meningitis?
How are the CSF findings used to classify meningitis?
What is the normal opening pressure of CSF?
What is the normal opening pressure of CSF?
What is the definition of encephalitis?
What is the definition of encephalitis?
What is the least common route of infection for CNS infections?
What is the least common route of infection for CNS infections?
What are the potential sequelae of CNS infections?
What are the potential sequelae of CNS infections?
Study Notes
Neurological Infections
- Infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are medical emergencies that can be life-threatening and have severe sequelae, such as coma, decreased mental capacity, seizure, and persistent neurological deficit.
Anatomy of the Nervous System
- The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord.
- The peripheral nervous system (PNS) consists of peripheral nerves, meninges, and the brain parenchyma.
- The subarachnoid space is a region between the meninges and the brain parenchyma.
Types of CNS Infections
- Meningitis: an infection within the subarachnoid space and/or throughout the leptomeninges.
- Encephalitis: inflammation of the brain parenchyma.
- Meningoencephalitis: concomitant meningitis with encephalitis.
- Brain abscess: a localized collection of pus in the brain.
Routes of Infection
- Haematogenous spread: the most common route of CNS infection, through the choroid plexus or other blood vessels of the brain to the subarachnoid space.
- Direct spread: from adjacent infected sites, such as otitis media, sinusitis, and mastoiditis, or through anatomic defects (e.g., surgery, trauma, congenital abnormalities).
- Travel along nerves to the brain: the least common route of CNS infection (e.g., rabies, HSV).
Clinical Presentation of Meningitis
- Fever
- Headache
- Neck stiffness
- Altered mental status
- Photophobia
- Vomiting
- Seizure
- Focal neurological deficits
- Disseminated disease due to causative agents
Classification of Meningitis
- Acute: progression in hours to days
- Subacute or chronic: progression in days to weeks
CSF Findings
- Opening pressure (mmH2O)
- WBC/mm3: white blood cell count
- Predominant cell type
- Protein (mg/dL)
- Glucose (CSF/Blood ratio)
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Description
Test your knowledge on neurological infections with this quiz by Dr. Teresa Wang. Learn about different types of CNS infections, routes of acquiring them, interpreting CSF findings in meningitis/meningoencephalitis, and principles of treatment. Understand why CNS infections are a medical emergency.
