Meningitis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Oct 17, 2024 · Meningitis is an infection and swelling, called inflammation, of the fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord. These membranes are called meninges. The inflammation from meningitis most often triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck. Viral infections are the most common cause of meningitis in the United States.
Meningitis - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
Oct 17, 2024 · X-rays or CT scans of the chest or sinuses may show an infection that may be linked to meningitis. Spinal tap. This procedure collects fluid from around the spine. In people with meningitis, the fluid often shows a low sugar level along with a …
Meningitis - Doctors and departments - Mayo Clinic
Oct 17, 2024 · Meningitis, Encephalitis, Lyme disease, Urinary tract infection, Infection, Osteomyelitis, Sexually transmitted disease..., Coronavirus disease 2019, Sepsis, Joint infection, Tuberculosis, Endocarditis, General infectious diseases, Infection in the immunocompromised, Cellulitis, Infection in cancer patient, Prosthetic joint infection, COVID-19-associated MIS-C, …
Mayo Clinic Minute: Meningitis 101 for college students
Oct 19, 2018 · Neurologist Dr. Marie Grill says bacterial meningitis inflames the membranes surrounding your brain and spinal cord and creates symptoms that include headache, neck stiffness, fever and nausea. It's a serious illness that can be deadly, if left untreated. "Vaccination is key with respect to bacterial meningitis."
Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) - Mayo Clinic
May 4, 2024 · Spinal fluid usually contains up to five white blood cells per microliter. Increased numbers may suggest an infection or other condition. Specific lab values may vary depending on the medical facility. Sugar, also called glucose. A low glucose level in spinal fluid may indicate an infection, tumor or another condition. Microorganisms.
CSF leak (Cerebrospinal fluid leak) - Symptoms and causes
Nov 21, 2023 · Symptoms vary between spinal and cranial CSF leaks. Spinal CSF leaks. The most common symptom of a spinal CSF leak is a headache. These headaches usually: Cause pain in the back of the head. Improve when lying down. Worsen when standing up. May start or worsen when coughing or straining. Rarely, start suddenly.
Encephalitis - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
May 16, 2024 · Spinal tap, known as a lumbar puncture. A needle inserted into your lower back removes a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the protective fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal column. Changes in this fluid can point to infection and inflammation in the brain. Sometimes samples of CSF can be tested to identify the cause.
Meningioma - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Mar 29, 2024 · Three layers of membranes known as meninges protect the brain and spinal cord. The delicate inner layer is the pia mater. The middle layer is the arachnoid, a web-like structure filled with fluid that cushions the brain. The tough outer layer is called the dura mater.
Spinal stenosis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Jun 27, 2024 · Spinal bones are stacked in a column from the skull to the tailbone. They protect the spinal cord, which runs through an opening called the spinal canal. Some people are born with a small spinal canal. But most spinal stenosis occurs when something happens to reduce the amount of open space within the spine. Causes of spinal stenosis include:
Syringomyelia - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Mar 20, 2024 · Meningitis, which is swelling of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Spinal cord tumor, which can interfere with the regular flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Conditions present at birth, such as a tethered spinal cord. A tethered spinal cord is a condition caused when tissue attached to the spinal cord limits its movement.