A brief overview of meningitis

1. Mustafa Al Ali
Group 8

4.  Overview of the meninges
 Meningitis :
 Definition.
 Etiology
 Pathogenesis
 Sings & symptoms
 Investigations
 Treatment

5. They’re the coverings (membranes) of the CNS
(brain+ spinal cord).
Their main function is protection.

7. Protect the brain from injuries.
The brain “floats” in CSF (gives buoyancy )
Exchange of gases, nutrients and waste.
* It’s formed in Choroid plexus in the
ventricles.

8. 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)

9. 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

11. 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.

12. most often spread from person to person
through fecal contamination
 through respiratory secretions (saliva,
sputum, or nasal mucus)

13. Pathogenesis

16.  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

18. 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

20. to check for the presence of bacteria or viruses
that can cause meningitis and also for markers
of inflammation

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

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

23.  Will be chosen according to the underlying cause

24.  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

25.  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/arti
cle/003305.htm
 http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/bacterial.html

26. 10:33 AM