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Semin Neurol 2019; 39(03): 334-342
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1693159
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Bacterial Infections of the Central Nervous System

Paul A. LaPenna
1   Bon Secours Mercy Health, Greenville, South Carolina
,
Karen L. Roos
2   IUH Neuroscience Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
02 August 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Acute bacterial meningitis and spinal epidural abscess are neurological emergencies. Acute bacterial meningitis may present with symptoms as nonspecific as headache and fever, but rapid progression to an altered level of consciousness is not unusual. Spinal epidural abscess manifests initially as back pain, followed by radicular pain, then weakness, and finally paraplegia. Brain abscess may initially present only with headache, or as a new-onset seizure or with a focal neurological deficit. Bacterial infections of the central nervous system require emergent diagnosis and management. In this article, the pathogenesis, etiological organisms, diagnostic studies, differential diagnosis and management of acute bacterial meningitis, spinal epidural abscess, and brain abscess are discussed.

Keywords

acute bacterial meningitis - spinal epidural abscess - brain abscess
 

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