Central nervous system infections as a cause of an altered mental status? What is the pathogen growing in your central nervous system?
There are several central nervous system (CNS) infections (meningitis, encephalitis, and brain abscess), any of which may present with an altered level of consciousness. Because CNS infections can have a devastating outcome, it is important to recognize the presence of a CNS infection and begin treatment as soon as possible because early appropriate therapy may, in some cases, limit morbidity and mortality.
Mace
Sharon E
SE
Department of Emergency Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. maces@ccf.org
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002494:Central Nervous System Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008581:Meningitis / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000209:etiology