Meningitis

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

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2], Prashanth Saddala M.B.B.S

Synonyms and keywords: Leptomeningitis

Classification

Based on time course and CSF profile meningitis is classified into:

1. Acute septic and aseptic meningitis
2. Recurrent meningitis
3. Chronic meningitis

Meningitis can also be classified based on the cause :

1. Bacterial meningitis
2. Viral meningitis
3. Fungal meningitis
4. Parasitic meningitis
5. Non infectious meningitis

Differentiating Meningitis from other Diseases

• Brain abcess - Brain abcess is a focal infection of the brain parenchyma commonly caused by bacteria, fungal and parasitic pathogens. Imaging and neurosurgical aspiration is required for is differentiation in addition to CSF profile.
• Encepahlitis - Encephatlitis is the inflammation of brain. Meningitis can itself cause encephalitis and is called meningoencephalitis. The symptoms appear gradually in encephalitis but occur abruptly in meningitis.

• Delirium tremens - Delirium tremens and alcohol withdrawal should be differentiated from meningitis especially when present with confusion and fever. Both the conditions can coexist.

• Brain tumour - Brain tumours can simulate purulent meningitis with symptoms fever, signs of meningeal irritation and marked CSF pleocytosis. Irritation of leptomeninges by tumour and its breakdown products causes these symptoms. Determination of creatine kinase BB and carcinoembryonic antigen helps in differentiating.
• Subarachnoid hemorrhage - Subarachnoid hemorrhage also presents with severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea and vomiting like meningitis. It is a medical emergency. Imaging studies help in differentiating. Tubercular meningitis should ]be considered in the differential diagnosis in cases of nonaneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | CT | Lumbar Puncture | Other Imaging Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical therapy | Surgery | Primary Prevention | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Related chapters

• Aseptic meningitis
• Encephalitis

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