Related Experiment Videos
Headache associated with aseptic meningitis
M Lamonte1, S D Silberstein, J F Marcelis
1Department of Neurology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
Headache
|October 1, 1995
Summary
Severe headache, fever, and stiff neck can indicate aseptic meningitis. This condition, confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid analysis, requires prompt medical evaluation to rule out other serious causes like bacterial meningitis or hemorrhage.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Aseptic meningitis presents with symptoms overlapping other serious neurological conditions.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate patient management and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical characteristics of aseptic meningitis.
- To identify key diagnostic indicators and differentiate from other causes of severe headache.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 41 patients with confirmed aseptic meningitis.
- Review of clinical presentations, symptoms, and diagnostic findings.
Main Results:
- Headache was the predominant symptom (severe, bilateral in 39/41 patients).
- Associated symptoms included fever (30/41), nausea (25/41), vomiting (23/41), and photophobia (18/41).
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis confirmed aseptic meningitis (elevated protein and white count, negative cultures).
Conclusions:
- Severe, abrupt-onset, or worst-ever headaches warrant investigation for aseptic meningitis.
- Meningeal signs, fever, and neurological symptoms are important alerts for central nervous system infections.
- Distinguishing aseptic meningitis from bacterial meningitis and subarachnoid hemorrhage is clinically significant.