Viral encephalitis physical examination: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==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. Stiff neck, due to the irritation of the meninges covering the brain, indicates that the patient has either meningitis or meningeoncephalitis. | |||
==Physical Examination== | ==Physical Examination== | ||
Revision as of 19:38, 4 April 2013
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
Appearance
- Altered sensorium
- Personality changes
Skin
- Herpetic skin lesions
Head
- Bulging fontanelles
Eyes
- Jaundice in Herpes simplex encephalitis
- Keratoconjunctivitis
Throat
- Herpetic lesions in tongue and buccal mucosa (mouth ulcers)
Abdomen
Neurologic
Focal neurological signs are found commonly in patients with Herpes simplex encephalitis. Common findings in encephalitis are:
- Cranial nerve palsy
- Autonomic dysfunction
- Hemiparesis
- Meningismus
- Dystonia
- Ataxia
- Abnormal reflexes