[Disturbances of cerebral perfusion in patients with bacterial meningoencephalitis]

Folia Med Cracov. 2003;44(1-2):5-25.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

The investigations were done in acute and reconvalescent phase in 34 patients with bacterial meningoencephalitis. Neurologic condition, degree of the brain injury on the basis of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), protein level and pleocytosis in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and regional cerebral blood flow on dynamic computed tomography (CT) were assessed. The brain blood flow was measured in the white matter of the frontal and occipital horns of lateral ventricles, symmetrically in both hemispheres. Statistically significant reduction of the brain perfusion in acute phase of illness was improved. In reconvalescent phase normalisation of the brain blood supply was observed. 56% of patients had changes of consciousness. There was no significant correlation between these symptoms and parameters describing blood supply. The rest of patients had neurologic abnormalities: seizure, pyramidal syndrome, injury of the central nerves due to the reduction of blood flow in selected regions of the brain. Patients who aggregated low GCS score had high inflow of the blood. In patients who were in better condition, inflow was smaller. High pleocytosis in CSF was associated with small blood inflow and perfusion in investigated regions of the brain. Whereas high protein concentration correlated with higher inflow and increase in regional perfusion. We consider, that the brain blood supply correlate with intensification of inflammatory response in CSF.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bacterial Infections / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Bacterial Infections / physiopathology*
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Brain / blood supply*
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Female
  • Glasgow Coma Scale
  • Humans
  • Leukocytosis / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Male
  • Meningoencephalitis / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Meningoencephalitis / physiopathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Poland
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Time Factors