Meningitis

Question 1

Aetiologies?

Answer 1

Infective - meningococcal, pneumococcal
Inflammatory
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, photophobia
Others = pleuritic pain, petechial rash, focal signs, shock, AMS, seizures

Question 4

Investigations and findings?

Answer 4

CT - contra/indicat. LP
Lumbar puncture - CSF findings high protein, high neutrophils, high pressure
Serology
Blood culture 
FBC, U+Es 
LFT 
Glucose - hypoglycaemia 
Coag

Question 5

Management?

Answer 5

ABCD
IV antibiotics (cephalosporin)
Antivirals
ITU admission

Question 6

Complications?

Answer 6

Death
Reduced life expectancy
FNS