by clare di bona. 25yo biba “pseudoseizures” found slumped in a chair stiff, loc 2 minutes no...
TRANSCRIPT
ALTERED MENTAL STATE
By Clare Di Bona
CASE 1. 25yo BIBA “Pseudoseizures” found slumped in a chair stiff,
LOC 2 minutes No post-ictal phase, no incontinence ED waiting room generalised seizure PMH depression on escitalopram. Has used
methamphetamine in the past GCS 11/15
Eyes open spontaneously 4 Groaning 2 Localising to pain 5
MRI Shows cerebral oedema
CASE 1. CSF
Appearance: clear and colourless Cell Count
Leucocytes 88/uL Polymorphs 1% Lymphocytes 99% Erythrocytes 2
Biochemistry Protein0.21g/L (0.15-0.45) Glucose 2.8 mmol/L (2.8-4.4)
Microscopy no bacteria seen Culture no growth High Anti-NMDA level
ANTI-NMDA ENCEPHALITIS Dropped GCS 3/15 in coma ICU Ongoing pseudoseizure activity with facial
twitching and finger movements Autonomic dysfunction persistent tachycardia
and fever despite normal WCC and CRP IV immunoglobulin and plasma exchange no
effect 50% association ovarian teratoma, US showed
no evidence of this…ovaries taken out and found to have microscopic evidence of teratoma
Slow but steady clinical improvement following this.
CASE 2 36 yo 5/7 insidious onset generalised
headache No recorded temperatures but getting
hot/chills at home Vomited at home No photophobia, no meningism, petechial
rash Recent fishing trip-lack of sleep, alcohol++ Nil significant PMH GCS 15/15 looks well from the end of the
bed. Normal CRP, normal WCC
CASE 2 Appearance: turbid Cell Count
Leucocytes 2580 /uLPolymorphs 20%Lymphocytes 80%Erythrocytes 24 /Ul
BiochemistryProtein 0.99 g/LGlucose 2.8 mmol/L (2.8-4.4)
Microscopy No bacteria seen Culture no growth
CSF PCR Enterovirus/ Rhinovirus RNA not
detected Herpes Simplex virus 1 not
detected Herpes Simplex virus 2 not
detected Neisseria meningitidis not
detected Varicella Zoster detected Streptococcus pneumoniae not detected
CASE 3
CASE 3
CASE 4
BACTERIAL MENINGITIS Ideally blood cultures and CSF prior to IVAB Should not delay the commencement IVAB
>30minutes Dexamethasone 10mg IV before or with first dose
of IVABPLUS Ceftriaxone 4g or cefotaxime 2gAdd Benzylpenicillin is suspect Listeria
(immunocompromised, >50yrs, alcoholic, pregnant)
Vancomycin is suspect pneumococcus (gram +ve diplococci, otitis media, sinusitis, treated beta lactam)