Have you known someone who had meningitis and ended up in a coma? To find out what causes a meningocele, read this article.
Meningitis is defined as an inflammation that occurs in the membranes of the brain and spinal cord. In some cases, meningitis may cause a risk to the brain that may lead to coma. To learn more about meningitis coma, read the following:
What is a meningitis coma?
Many patients with bacterial meningitis need to be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) because of an abnormal state of consciousness and awareness, and 15% of these patients are unconscious and in a coma, and this condition is called a meningitis coma, and the occurrence of a meningitis coma indicates that the patient''s condition worsened.
What are the causes of meningitis coma?
There are many causes of meningococcal coma, including the following
1. Cerebral oedema
Cerebral edema is a common cause of ed mental status and a secondary cause of bacterial meningitis. Cerebral edema may be exacerbated by hypotension to cause coma.
It is worth mentioning that comatose patients suspected of having bacterial meningitis should perform cranial imaging before performing a lumbar puncture test. Brain magnetic resonance imaging is the ideal radiological method in this case, but computed tomography is a good native in emergency cases, in order to rule out any complications. Intracranial surgery requiring additional invasive treatment.
Then treatment begins with a blood culture first, then starting to use dexamethasone if necessary, and antimicrobial therapy as soon as possible, and among the beneficial effects of using corticosteroids are the following:
Reduces the risk of hearing loss and neurological disorders in all patients.
Low mortality in patients with meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Recent studies suggest that targeted intracranial therapy may improve the overall outcome in patients with severely impaired mental status. This treatment is mainly based on cerebrospinal fluid drainage using external ventricular catheters and osmotherapeutics.
2. Cerebrovascular lesions
Severe cerebrovascular lesions are observed in 15% of patients with meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, and these lesions may be exacerbated by hypotension and other systemic problems to cause coma.
Neuropathological data indicate that cerebrovascular lesions in patients with bacterial meningitis are associated with:
Brain inflammation.
Growth and proliferation of microvasculature.
Microvascular inflammation.
Blood clotting and vascular occlusion.
Although ischemia due to inflammation of the small blood vessels can be diagnosed with MRI of the brain, a transcranial Doppler test (TCD) may help detect blood flow changes in the brain due to cerebral edema.
3. Seizures and status epilepticus
Seizures occur in 17-20% of adult patients with bacterial meningitis, and these seizures may lead to coma in patients.
Experts recommend electroencephalography (EEG) for people in a meningitis coma with unexplained neurological problems to rule out seizures and help with diagnosis.
What are the symptoms of a coma?
Coma signs and symptoms usually include
closed eyes
Inhibitory brainstem reflexes, such as pupils not responding to light.
There are no responses to the limbs except for reflexive movements.
There is no response to painful stimuli except for reflex movements.
Irregular breathing.
