Diagnosis and Treatment of Central Nervous System Infections in

Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · Nov 2016

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Diagnosis and Treatment of Central Nervous System Infections in the Emergency Department.

Central nervous system (CNS) infections, including meningitis, encephalitis, and brain abscess, are rare but time-sensitive emergency department (ED) diagnoses. Patients with CNS infection can present to the ED with nonspecific signs and symptoms, including headache, fever, altered mental status, and behavioral changes. ⋯ Delaying therapy negatively impacts outcomes, particularly with bacterial meningitis and herpes simplex virus encephalitis. Therefore, diagnosis of CNS infection requires vigilance and a high index of suspicion based on the history and physical examination, which must be confirmed with appropriate imaging and laboratory evaluation.

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- Maia Dorsett and Stephen Y Liang.
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8072, St Louis, MO 64110, USA.
- Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. 2016 Nov 1; 34 (4): 917942917-942.
AbstractCentral nervous system (CNS) infections, including meningitis, encephalitis, and brain abscess, are rare but time-sensitive emergency department (ED) diagnoses. Patients with CNS infection can present to the ED with nonspecific signs and symptoms, including headache, fever, altered mental status, and behavioral changes. Neuroimaging and CSF fluid analysis can appear benign early in the course of disease. Delaying therapy negatively impacts outcomes, particularly with bacterial meningitis and herpes simplex virus encephalitis. Therefore, diagnosis of CNS infection requires vigilance and a high index of suspicion based on the history and physical examination, which must be confirmed with appropriate imaging and laboratory evaluation.Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Diagnosis and Treatment of Central Nervous System Infections in the Emergency Department.

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