Meningitis physical examination

Meningitis Main Page
Patient Information
Overview
Causes
Classification Viral Meningitis Bacterial Meningitis Fungal Meningitis
Differential Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Treatment

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2], Jesus Rosario Hernandez, M.D. [3].

Physical Examination

Meningitis is a medical emergency, and referral to a hospital is indicated.

Skin

Rapidly-spreading petechial rash is typical in "meningococcal" meningitis, and may precede other symptoms. The rash consists of numerous small, irregular purple or red spots on the trunk, lower extremities, mucous membranes, conjunctiva, and occasionally on the palms of hands and soles of feet.

Gallery

Trunk

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  Meningitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.

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  Meningititis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.>

Extremities

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  Meningitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.

Neurologic

• Nuchal rigidity is typically assessed with the patient lying supine.
• Kernig's sign: Pain is elicited when the knees are passively extended .
• Brudzinski's sign: In infants, forward flexion of the neck may cause involuntary knee and hip flexion. Although commonly tested, the sensitivity and specificity of Kernig's and Brudzinski's tests are uncertain.

References

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