Eosinophilic meningitis: a case series report and review of the literature.

Prompted by a case of eosinophilic meningitis (EM), a review of the literature was performed to evaluate the strength of the diagnoses associated with EM and compares these results with our hospital's experience. Articles were critically reviewed for supporting evidence, method of diagnosis, and established standards for specific diagnosis. EM has been defined as > or = 10 eosinophils per mm3 or > or = 10% eosinophils of total cell count. Sixty-two cases of EM were found at our institution and reviewed. The results of this case series review concur with those found in the literature. It also suggests the importance of considering infectious and noninfectious etiologies when faced with eosinophils in the cerebrospinal fluid. This review and case study analysis provides the clinician with a critically established set of differential diagnoses and a concise definition of EM that may assist the physician in the evaluation of patients presenting with eosinophils in the cerebrospinal fluid.