CASE : MENINGITIS

Mustafa Al Ali

Group 8

THE CASE !!

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OBJECTIVES Overview of the meninges

Meningitis : Definition. Etiology Pathogenesis Sings & symptoms Investigations Treatment

WHAT ARE THE MENINGES ???

They’re the coverings (membranes) of the CNS (brain+ spinal cord).

Their main function is protection.

THE MENINGES ARE COMPOSED OF THREE LAYERS :-

RULES OF CEREBROSPINAL FLUID:

* It’s formed in Choroid plexus in the ventricles.

Protect the brain from injuries.

The brain “floats” in CSF (gives buoyancy )

Exchange of gases, nutrients and waste.

MENINGITIS OVERVIEW

An inflammation of the meninges, can be caused by some viruses, bacteria or other

microorganisms.

 Can get better on its own in a couple of weeks , or it can be a life-threatening

emergency (esp. if bacterial)

ETIOLOGY

Can be bacterial, e.g. Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, group B

sterptococci  

Viral , e.g. enteroviruses 

On rare occasions, fungi or other microorganisms can cause

meningitis

COMMON CAUSES OF BACTERIAL MENINGITIS:-

ROUTES OF TRANSMISSION (BACTERIAL):-

 Some bacteria can spread through the exchange (e.g., by kissing) of respiratory and

throat secretions (e.g., saliva or mucus).

 Can be transmitted to a healthy person be sneezing or cough of a sick person

 Can’t be transmitted through casual contact.

ROUTES OF TRANSMISSION (VIRAL):-

 most often spread from person to person through fecal contamination 

through respiratory secretions (saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus)

Pathogenesis

SINGS & SYMPTOMS

Q1 INCREASED HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE

It is when the measured distance around the widest part of the skull is larger than

expected for the child's age and background.

In intracranial pressure often occurs with this increase

INVESTIGATIONS, THE MOST IMPORTANT TEST:-

where a sample of (CSF) is taken from the base of the spine under local anesthetic and checked for the presence of bacteria

or viruses

CSF FINDINGS :-

INVESTIGATIONS

to check for the presence of bacteria or viruses that can cause meningitis and also

for markers of inflammation

* (CT) scan – if there are any other suspected problems, such as brain

damage

* chest X-ray – to look for signs of infection

TREATMENT

Will be chosen according to the underlying cause

Corticosteroids given to patients of all ages with bacterial meningitis have been shown to reduce hearing loss and better

neurological outcomes

Viral meningitis typically requires supportive treatment

REFERENCES Kumar : Clinical Medicine Guyton & Hall Snell’s neuroanatomy http://

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/meningitis/basics/definition/con-20019713

http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/index.html http://

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Meningitis/Pages/Causes.aspx

http://www.pathophys.org/meningitis http://

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003305.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/bacterial.html

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