SAQ 113 – Infectious Disease – meningitis CSF interpretation

Review Completed

Marked out of 18.00

A 25 year old presents with a severe headache.

What is the role of serum procalcitonin levels in the diagnosis of meningitis? State three points in your answer.

(Marked out of 3.0)

/ 3

Complete the reference table below regarding expected CSF findings. Provide absolute values where clinically important, and state increased or decreased in other cases.

(Marked out of 10.0)

Finding	Normal	Bacterial meningitis	Viral meningitis	Fungal meningitis	Subarachnoid haemorrhage
Opening pressure	50-200 mmH2O
Colour	Clear
WCC	0-5
RBC	0-5
CSF protein	0.2-0.5
CSF glucose	60-80% serum

/ 10

List five contraindications to performing a lumbar puncture prior to a CT brain in the setting of suspected meningitis.

(Marked out of 5.0)

/ 5

Total Score: 0 / 18

Percentage: 0%

Finding	Normal	Bacterial meningitis	Viral meningitis	Fungal meningitis	Subarachnoid haemorrhage
Opening pressure	50-200 mmH2O	Increased	Increased	Increased	Increased
Colour	Clear	Turbid	Turbid	Turbid or clear	Xanthochromia
WCC	0-5	>1000	>500 PMN early; 100-1000 lymphocyte predominance later	0-200, lower in HIV	WBC:RBC about 1:500
RBC	0-5	0-5	0-5	0-5	>1000, usually >10,000
Protein	0.2-0.5	Increased	Normal or mildly increased	Increased	Increased
CSF glucose	60-80% serum	Decreased, <60% serum	Normal	Decreased, <60% serum	Normal

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