Viral encephalitis physical examination: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 01:56, 13 February 2012

Template:Encephalitis Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [2]

Overview

Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, commonly caused by a viral infection. It may present as focal or diffuse neurological manifestations. The signs may include altered mental status, change in personality, meningismus, ataxia, seizures, and cranial nerve involvement. Stiff neck, due to the irritation of the meninges covering the brain, indicates that the patient has either meningitis or meningeoncephalitis.

Physical examination

Focal

Focal neurological signs are found commonly in patients with Herpes simplex encephalitis. Common findings in encephalitis are:

Focal seizures
Cranial nerve palsy
Dysphagia (Rabies)

Diffuse

Altered sensorium
Personality changes
Autonomic dysfunction
Hemiparesis
Meningismus
Dystonia
Ataxia
Abnormal reflexes

Herpes simplex encephalitis

It is commonly seen in neonates and physical examination may include:

General physical examination

Decreased consciousness, irritability
Bulging fontanelles
Jaundice
Keratoconjunctivitis
Herpetic skin lesions
Shock

Gastrointestinal

Herpetic lesions in tongue and buccal mucosa (mouth ulcers)
Hepatomegaly

Neurological

Seizures

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 ==Overview==
-'''Encephalitis''' is an [[Acute (medical)|acute]] [[inflammation]] of the [[brain]], commonly caused by a [[virus|viral]] [[infection]]. It may present as focal or diffuse neurological manifestations. The signs may include altered mental status, change in personality, meningismus, ataxia, seizures, and cranial nerve involvement.
+'''Encephalitis''' is an [[Acute (medical)|acute]] [[inflammation]] of the [[brain]], commonly caused by a [[virus|viral]] [[infection]]. It may present as focal or diffuse neurological manifestations. The signs may include altered mental status, change in personality, meningismus, ataxia, seizures, and cranial nerve involvement. Stiff neck, due to the irritation of the meninges covering the brain, indicates that the patient has either meningitis or meningeoncephalitis.
 ==Physical examination==