Tuberculosis of Brain and Spine
The diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis is made by examination of the spinal fluid. The classic spinal fluid abnormalities in tuberculous meningitis are as follows: (1) elevated opening pressure, (2) lymphocytic…
Spirochetal Infections: Neurosyphilis
Asymptomatic neurosyphilis is defined by the presence of spinal fluid abnormalities in the absence of neurologic signs and symptoms. Syphilitic meningitis is defined by the appearance of meningeal signs and…
Infections in the Immunocompromised Host: Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy and Nocardiosis
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a disease caused by the JC virus, a polyoma virus that is acquired in childhood, establishes latent infection in the kidneys and…
Parameningeal Infections
SPINAL EPIDURAL ABSCESS A spinal epidural abscess develops in the space outside the dura mater but within the spinal canal as a result of the hematogenous spread of infection from…
Brain Abscess
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast administration is the neuroimaging procedure of choice, because MRI is better able to demonstrate an abscess that is in the cerebritis stage than a…
Bacterial Meningitis (Continued)
In patients with a clinical presentation of meningitis and a CSF lymphocytic pleocytosis with a decreased glucose concentration, fungal infections, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and lymphoma/leptomeningeal metastases are in the differential…
