ACUTE INFLAMMATORY DISEASES OF THE CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM

The most important acute inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system include bacterial meningitis, herpes-simplex encephalitis, brain abscess, intracranial subdural empyema (and epidural abscess), spinal abscess, acute disseminated postinfectious encephalomyelitis, tick-borne encephalitis, poliomyelitis and viral meningitis. The prognosis of bacterial meningitis and herpes-simplex encephalitis depends on early diagnosis and prompt initiation of therapy within a few hours. The unfavourable course of bacterial meningitis is often due to intracranial complications including brain edema, cerebrovascular arterial or venous involvement, or hydrocephalus. They may require adjunctive therapy including administration of hyperosmolar agents, dexamethasone, anticoagulation using heparin, or ventricular drainage.