Meningeal symptoms in children and adults

More useful information about other various types of diseases starting with the letter “M”: Lesser chorea, Slow infections of the central nervous system, Medulloblastoma, Herniated disc, Thoracic disc herniation, Lumbar disc herniation, Cervical disc herniation, Intercostal neuralgia, Meningeal syndrome, Meningioma, Meningitis , Meningococcal meningitis, Meningomyelitis, Meningoencephalitis, Metabolic myopathy, Metastatic brain tumors, Metachromatic leukodystrophy, Weather sensitivity, Myasthenia gravis, Migraine stroke.

Meningeal syndrome: concept

Meningeal syndrome (MS) is a symptomatic complex that occurs when there are abnormalities in the cerebral surfaces. The presented disease can manifest itself when infectious microorganisms enter the body, intoxication with chemicals, problems with blood vessels, diseases of a liquor-hypertensive nature, damage and anomalies of carcinomatous etiology. The main factors characteristic of MS are the presence of pain in the head, muscle rigidity, gag reflexes, hyperesthesia and algic phenomena.

The basis of the research is clinical indicators and reports after analysis of the spinal substance. The treatment plan is based on the etiology of occurrence. Mostly doctors prescribe medications that have antiviral, antifungal, and antiprotozoal effects. In addition, symptomatic relief and stabilization of intracranial pressure are prescribed.

brief information

Meningeal disorder is a common disease that occurs quite often in the practice of doctors in the field of neurology, pediatrics, otolaryngology and other specializations. Translated from Latin, the name of the pathology means “brain membrane.” There is a type of MS when irritation of the cerebral cavity occurs without inflammatory processes; it is called in medical practice - meningism.

A large number of discoveries, information and rare facts were made back in the 19th century. The disease was studied by many scientists around the world, who eventually offered specific descriptions of the symptoms of the disease. The concepts are currently in use. One of the nuances of a neurological disorder is the inaccurate clinical picture of the disorder in the retirement age population.

Causative agents of meningeal syndrome

Intracranial disorders and multisystem anomalies become harmful causes. Often, MS provokes the progress of the inflammatory process occurring in the brain structures (meningitis), subarachnoid bleeding, and head injury. In accordance with the effect on the cerebral membranes, etiological sources are divided into two categories: inflammatory and non-inflammatory.

First group:

• Bacterial origin: nonspecific (caused by the entry into the body of meningococcal infection, Haemophilus influenzae, pneumococci, and in infants - Escherichia coli and salmonella), specific (begins when pathogenic elements of tuberculosis and syphilis appear in the departments).
• Viral origin - in almost 75% of diagnosed cases, they develop with the participation of enteroviruses, in rare situations - adenovirus, herpetic infection, tick-borne encephalitis, etc. The main factors are microorganisms of cryptococcal, candida, and histoplasmic nature (provoking severe inflammatory foci with petechial hemorrhage).
• Protozoal origin - the main sources are toxoplasmosis and malaria.

Second group:

• A large accumulation of blood cells in the brain structures (appear as a result of an acute malfunction in the circulatory system, severe arterial hypertension, skull injuries, cerebral vasculitis).
• Intracranial hypertension is a consequence of hydrocephalus, neoplasms (formation of a malignant or benign tumor, intracranial cyst, abscess, hematoma).
• Poisoning: exogenous type - paints and varnishes are provocateurs, bad habits such as substance abuse or alcohol addiction, endogenous type - uremia, hypoparathyroidism are considered causative agents.
• Neurotoxic origin in general infections - seasonal influenza, dysentery, colds, etc.
• Carcinomatous origin - complications after infiltration of the cerebral membranes by cancer cells during cancer processes (including the leukocyte type of infiltration in neurolecosis disease).

Development mechanism

In medical practice, there are two types of disease progression: inflammatory and pathogenetic. VP begins when an infection enters the body. Infection of the brain elements occurs in several ways: contact, lymphogenous, perineural and hematogenous. The lesion can be transmitted through blood if the patient has purulent foci. If encephalitis progresses, the harmful anomaly spreads to the soft tissues and causes the development of meningoencephalitis. The pathogenetic mechanism of the flow causes irritation of the cerebral parts. The causative agents are:

• Blood collections during bleeding.
• High surges in intracranial pressure.
• Entry into the body of toxic components (external and formed during dysmetabolic actions).
• Vital activity of negative cells.
• Tissue breakdown during cancer progression.

Etiology of the disease

The pathology may be based on various pathogens that begin to develop against the background of a weakened immune system. Responsible for bacterial meningitis in children:

• pneumo- and meningococci;
• streptococci and staphylococci;
• hemophilus influenzae;
• tuberculosis;
• enterobacteria;
• spirochetes;
• rickettsia.

The aseptic type of disease is caused by viruses:

• enterovirus infection;
• microorganism Coxsackie;
• mumps, or so-called mumps;
• polio;
• encephalitis tick bite;
• chicken pox;
• rubella;
• measles;
• adeno- and ECHO viruses;
• herpes.

Symptoms appear a few hours after the attack, in rare cases - within a day. And also childhood meningitis can be caused by pathogenic fungi, malarial plasmodium or various types of helminths.

The infection is transmitted directly through mucus fragments when sneezing or coughing. Pathological pathogens enter the body through the nasopharynx. The disease has an incubation period, when symptoms have not yet appeared and the person is contagious. A number of pathologies can also cause meningitis:

• inflammatory infections in the respiratory system;
• otitis, adenoiditis;
• abnormal structure of the skull, deviated nasal septum, sinusitis;
• furunculosis localized on the front part, caries;
• avitaminosis.

The development of pathology in infants is provoked by:

• intrauterine infections;
• fetal prematurity;
• hypoxia during complicated childbirth.

At an early age, poor care, hypothermia, climate change and excessive physical activity contribute to the disease. The anomaly occurs against the background of an unformed immune system and weak resistance of the blood-brain barrier.

Symptoms of meningeal syndrome

The symptom complex consists of general cerebral phenomena and meningeal problems. Characteristic clinical manifestations are:

• Diffuse cephalalgia (pain in the head area).
• Vomiting reflexes that are not accompanied by nausea, without making the patient feel better.
• Excited behavior followed by apathetic behavior.
• Seizures.
• The appearance of hallucinations.
• Depression of thinking and consciousness until the patient completely switches off (stupor, coma).

In addition, meningeal syndrome is complemented by pathognomonic symptoms, divided by experts into three main groups:

• Painful phenomena.
• Manifestations of a muscular-tonic nature are an unstable state of muscle tissue.
• Complaints accompanying hyperesthesia - a person develops a high intolerance to noise, light and touch.

Treatment

If there is a suspicion of a disease, help should be urgent. To prevent complications such as epilepsy, dementia, hearing loss and other negative phenomena, therapy is carried out in an inpatient setting. The patient is prescribed bed rest, and a drip is used to relieve intoxication. Treatment is carried out with drugs:

1. Antibacterial action: “Mernem”, “Ceftriaxone”, “Chloramphenicol”.
2. Against viral nature: “DNA-ase”, “Interferon”, “RNA-ase” and lytic mixture.
3. Painkillers and antipyretics: “Acetylene”, “Paracetamol”, “Panadol”.
4. Sedatives: “Seduxen”, “Dikam”, Diazepam.”
5. Corticosteroid hormones: Novomethasone, Dexamethasone, Methylprednisolone.
6. Antifungal: Diflucan, Fungolon, Flucostat.

Therapy is carried out with an individual dosage and course of treatment under the supervision of a doctor.

Diagnostic options

The patient is accompanied at all stages of examination and further treatment by doctors specializing in problems of infectious origin, a pediatrician, and experts in the field of neurology and therapy. During a visit to the healthcare provider's office, the patient undergoes a standard examination for the presence of characteristic body position, hyperesthesia, pain and tonic phenomena. There are over 30 types of clinical manifestations of complaints that effectively help identify membrane disease. The following are widely used:

• Kernig's sign - the patient assumes a supine position and passively bends his legs.
• Brudzinski's symptoms - in the same position, the doctor palpates the pubis, as a result of which the lower limbs spontaneously pull towards the abdominal cavity.
• Edelman's sign - you need to straighten the big toe when testing using the Kurnig method.

The main role in diagnosing MS is played by lumbar puncture. However, it cannot be done in cases of pronounced hypertension or the likelihood of a mass effect. Such a study can be prescribed only after obtaining information from an ophthalmoscopic analysis and an EEG. Doctors prescribe checking the cerebral substance, blood cells, bacteriological and virological assessment of the cerebrospinal fluid, blood culture, PCR examination and MRI scan of the brain.

Treatment options

The severe stage of MS can only be treated therapeutically in a hospital setting:

• Pharmacological substances of a broad spectrum antibiotic therapy, antiviral and antimycotics are prescribed.
• Detoxification is performed to eliminate the main provocateur.
• Taking diuretics and glucocorticosteroid medications.
• Use of antipyretics, antihypertensive drugs and antiemetic pharmaceuticals.
• Anticonvulsants are prescribed.

Further forecast

If you consult a neurologist or therapist in a timely manner, there is a high probability of a rapid recovery of the patient with MS. Doctors report that residual signs of the disease may appear for several months:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Emotional instability.
• Headache.
• Increased intracranial pressure.

An unfavorable prognosis can only occur in the case of a course of the disease accompanied by serious pathology of the central nervous system, ultra-rapid development of infectious lesions and oncology.

Preventive actions

To prevent the occurrence of meningeal syndrome, you should adhere to the following rules:

• Monitor the level of your immune system.
• During the prevention of infectious diseases.
• Avoid injury and poisoning.
• Promptly contact a specialist in case of cerebrovascular anomalies and cardiovascular diseases.

Specific preventive actions may be relevant for infectious microorganisms that cause meningococcus and pneumococcus.

Existing diagnostic tests

Determining the disease is not difficult: you need to check whether the patient has characteristic symptoms. It is necessary to carry out monitoring, referring to meningeal signs. The procedure is shown in the photo.

The analysis is carried out according to the following criteria:

1. Tilt of the head forward meets resistance from the back of the head (muscle rigidity).
2. When lying on your back, the leg bent at the knee resists straightening (Kernig's syndrome).
3. When the lower limb is flexed, the second limb is simultaneously affected (according to Brudzinsky).

The main meningeal symptoms are a reason for further investigation. Diagnostic activities include:

• lumbar puncture of the spinal cord and brain;
• cerebrospinal fluid cytology;
• computed tomography;
• blood test to detect antibodies (immunological);
• scraping from the mucous membrane for diplococcus.

If necessary, hypsarrhythmia is performed using an EEG (electroencephalogram).