Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 21, 2026

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery
10:03

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery

Published on: November 5, 2019

7.0K

Evaluation and treatment of chronic meningitis

Kelly J Baldwin1, Joseph R Zunt2

  • 1Department of Neurology, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, USA.

The Neurohospitalist
|November 1, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Chronic meningitis, an inflammation of the meninges lasting over a month, requires prompt diagnosis. Identifying the cause—infectious, autoimmune, or neoplastic—is key to effective treatment and improved patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Chronic meningitis is defined by inflammatory cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profiles persisting for at least one month.
  • Clinical presentations often involve headache, nausea, vomiting, cranial neuropathies, elevated intracranial pressure, or focal neurologic deficits.
  • The primary causes are broadly categorized into infectious, autoimmune, and neoplastic etiologies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the diagnostic approach and management principles for chronic meningitis.
  • To emphasize the importance of timely etiological identification and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Detailed patient history and physical examination.
  • Repeated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diagnostics.
  • Serologic studies and tissue biopsies (brain, lymph node, lung) when indicated.

Main Results:

  • Evaluation requires a comprehensive diagnostic workup including CSF analysis and imaging.
  • Biopsy may be necessary for definitive diagnosis in complex cases.

Conclusions:

  • Early identification and rapid treatment of chronic meningitis are critical for reducing morbidity and mortality.
  • Excluding infectious and neoplastic causes is essential before initiating immunosuppressive therapy, including steroids.
Keywords:
autoimmune diseases of the nervous systemcentral nervous system infectionsencephalitismeningitismeningoencephalitis

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Adjuvant Efficacy and Safety of Angong Niuhuang Pill in Viral Encephalitis Treatment08:36

Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Adjuvant Efficacy and Safety of Angong Niuhuang Pill in Viral Encephalitis Treatment

Published on: April 19, 2024

1.4K
Induction of Leptomeningeal Cells Modification Via Intracisternal Injection05:55

Induction of Leptomeningeal Cells Modification Via Intracisternal Injection

Published on: May 7, 2020

7.9K

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
5
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
178
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
3
Pneumonia IV: Management01:28

Pneumonia IV: Management

The treatment of pneumonia varies based on its severity and the causative pathogen. Here is a structured approach to managing pneumonia, integrating pharmaceutical and supportive care strategies.
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
1.1K
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial...
6
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
808