Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 22, 2026
10:03
Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery
Published on: November 5, 2019
7.7K
Emergency Neurologic Life Support: Meningitis and Encephalitis
David F Gaieski1, Nicole F O'Brien2, Ricardo Hernandez3
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. david.gaieski@jefferson.edu.
Neurocritical Care
|September 17, 2017
Summary
Prompt recognition and treatment of bacterial meningitis and viral encephalitis are crucial for preventing poor neurological outcomes. The Emergency Neurological Life Support protocol guides early diagnosis and management of these severe central nervous system infections.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Bacterial meningitis and viral encephalitis, including herpes simplex encephalitis, are critical neurological infections.
- Delayed or ineffective treatment significantly increases the risk of mortality and long-term neurological deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the Emergency Neurological Life Support protocol for meningitis and encephalitis.
- To provide a practical framework for the early recognition and urgent management of these conditions.
Main Methods:
- The protocol emphasizes prompt clinical evaluation, recognizing the classic triad of headache, fever, and neck stiffness.
- Key diagnostic steps include appropriate neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis.
- Management strategies focus on early empiric treatment with anti-infectives and corticosteroids, alongside airway support and hemodynamic stability.
Main Results:
- The protocol facilitates a structured approach to diagnosing and treating central nervous system infections.
- Early intervention is highlighted as essential for improving patient outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The Emergency Neurological Life Support protocol offers a vital approach to managing bacterial meningitis and encephalitis.
- Timely diagnosis, supportive care, and appropriate anti-infective/corticosteroid therapy are paramount for reducing morbidity and mortality.
