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Central Nervous System Inflammation Overview (view source)
Revision as of 12:52, 8 March 2011
, 12:52, 8 March 2011Created page with "==Introduction== * Although the CNS is well protected, its defences against organisms that have already invaded are less well developed. This is due to: *# Minimal antibody prod..."
==Introduction==
* Although the CNS is well protected, its defences against organisms that have already invaded are less well developed. This is due to:
*# Minimal antibody production
*# Cerebrospinal fluid providing a good culture medium for invading organisms.
*# Inflammatory cell, antibody and drug entry to the CNS being impeded by the blood-brain barrier.
===Classification of Inflammation===
* CNS inflammation may manifest as encephalitis or meningitis.
** These often co-exist.
* The aetiology CNS inflammation may be:
** Infectious
*** Bacteria
*** Fungi
*** Protozoa
*** Viruses or non-infectious.
*** Infectious agents vary geographically.
** Non-infectious
*** No infectious cause can be found in 60% of meningitis cases.
* Inflammation may also be broadly classified based on the nature of the exudate present.
** '''Fibrinous'''
*** Caused by bacteria infection (including ''Mycoplasma'').
** '''Suppurative'''
*** Caused by bacteria and fungi.
** '''Granulomatous'''
*** Caused by bacteria or fungi.
** '''Lymphoplasmacytic'''
*** Caused by viruses.
** '''Haemorrhagic'''
*** This is rare.
*** Usually associated with septicemia or infarcts.
==Clinical Signs of CNS Inflammation==
* Signs often reflect multiple levels of neurological involvement.
* Generalised [[Forebrain Disease - Pathology#Clinical Signs|forebrain signs]] are seen.
* Neck pain may be seen alone, or with other signs.
==Diagnosis==
* History, physical and neurological examination.
* Fundic examination may give clues as to whether a systemic infection is present.
* CSF examination may help define the problem.
==Treatment==
* Treatment is directed at a specific cause, if one can be found.
** If a cause cannot be found, trimethoprim, clindamycin or doxycycline plus or minus corticosteroids may be used.
[[Category:Central Nervous System - Inflammatory Pathology|A]]
* Although the CNS is well protected, its defences against organisms that have already invaded are less well developed. This is due to:
*# Minimal antibody production
*# Cerebrospinal fluid providing a good culture medium for invading organisms.
*# Inflammatory cell, antibody and drug entry to the CNS being impeded by the blood-brain barrier.
===Classification of Inflammation===
* CNS inflammation may manifest as encephalitis or meningitis.
** These often co-exist.
* The aetiology CNS inflammation may be:
** Infectious
*** Bacteria
*** Fungi
*** Protozoa
*** Viruses or non-infectious.
*** Infectious agents vary geographically.
** Non-infectious
*** No infectious cause can be found in 60% of meningitis cases.
* Inflammation may also be broadly classified based on the nature of the exudate present.
** '''Fibrinous'''
*** Caused by bacteria infection (including ''Mycoplasma'').
** '''Suppurative'''
*** Caused by bacteria and fungi.
** '''Granulomatous'''
*** Caused by bacteria or fungi.
** '''Lymphoplasmacytic'''
*** Caused by viruses.
** '''Haemorrhagic'''
*** This is rare.
*** Usually associated with septicemia or infarcts.
==Clinical Signs of CNS Inflammation==
* Signs often reflect multiple levels of neurological involvement.
* Generalised [[Forebrain Disease - Pathology#Clinical Signs|forebrain signs]] are seen.
* Neck pain may be seen alone, or with other signs.
==Diagnosis==
* History, physical and neurological examination.
* Fundic examination may give clues as to whether a systemic infection is present.
* CSF examination may help define the problem.
==Treatment==
* Treatment is directed at a specific cause, if one can be found.
** If a cause cannot be found, trimethoprim, clindamycin or doxycycline plus or minus corticosteroids may be used.
[[Category:Central Nervous System - Inflammatory Pathology|A]]