What is meningitis and Leptomeningitis?

Leptomeningitis, which is more commonly referred to as meningitis, represents inflammation of the subarachnoid space (i.e. arachnoid mater and pia mater) caused by an infectious or noninfectious process.

What’s the difference between encephalitis and meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain itself.

How does meningitis look on MRI?

Noncontrast MRIs of patients with uncomplicated acute bacterial meningitis may demonstrate obliterated cisterns and the distention of the subarachnoid space with widening of the interhemispheric fissure, which is reported to be an early finding in severe meningitis or may be unremarkable.

Can an MRI see meningitis?

Using MRI to Diagnose Meningitis MRI can detect whether there is inflammation in the brain and spinal cord, infection, eye disease, or tumors, among many other disorders.

Can CT scan detect meningitis?

The CT scan is a valuable tool in diagnosing meningitis. The contrast dye that is injected during the test can highlight brain, skull, and sinus inflammation- all complications and signs of meningitis.

What happens if meningitis is untreated?

If left untreated, the infection can cause brain damage or even death. Antibiotics can usually eliminate the bacteria. Still, about 10 to 15 percent of cases result in death even when antibiotics are used. Among people who recover, 11 to 19 percent will experience long-term complications.

What’s the difference between meningitis and leptomeningitis?

Leptomeningitis, which is more commonly referred to as meningitis, represents inflammation of the subarachnoid space (i.e. arachnoid mater and pia mater ) caused by an infectious or noninfectious process. For a further discussion related to other etiological agents and other infective processes in the CNS, please refer to CNS infectious diseases.

What causes pachymeningeal enhancement without Leptomeningeal involvement?

Pachymeningeal enhancement without leptomeningeal involvement is a well-known MRI feature of intracranial hypotension due to CSF leaks. Unlike spinal CSF leaks, skull base CSF leaks frequently cause infectious meningitis, which generally presents as leptomeningeal enhancement.

What causes leptomeningitis in adults and children?

The same form of leptomeningitis is caused by these particular infectious agents in adults, such as: streptococcus pneumoniae, neisseria meningitidis and group B streptococcus. In children, the main infectious agent is represented by neisseria meningitides.

Can a person with AIDS get mycobacterial leptomeningitis?

It is also possible to suffer from mycobacterial leptomeningitis, this form being caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculous meningitis and tuberculous pachymeningitis). The fungal meningitis is caused either by cryptococcus neoformans (AIDS patients) and coccidioides immitis.