Mariano Marrodan1, Catalina Bensi1, Lucas Alessandro1, Alejandro D Muggeri2, Mauricio F Farez3,4. 1. Department of Neurology, Epidemiology and Publich Health (CEBES), Institute for Neurological Research Dr. Raúl Carrea (FLENI), Buenos Aires, Argentina. 2. Department of Neuro-Oncology, Epidemiology and Publich Health (CEBES), Neurological Research Dr. Raúl Carrea (FLENI), Buenos Aires, Argentina. 3. Center for Research on Neuroimmunological Diseases (CIEN), Epidemiology and Publich Health (CEBES), Neurological Research Dr. Raúl Carrea (FLENI), Buenos Aires, Argentina. 4. Center for Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Publich Health (CEBES), Neurological Research Dr. Raúl Carrea (FLENI), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although incidence rates vary, infectious, autoimmune, and neoplastic diseases can all cause chronic and subacute meningitis (CSM). We report a Latin-American, single center, CSM case series, analyzing the main clinical characteristics as well as ancillary diagnostic methods differentiating neoplastic from non-neoplastic etiologies. METHODS: Retrospective review of CSM cases from a single center in Buenos Aires, Argentina. RESULTS: Seventy patients with CSM diagnosis were identified, 49 with neoplastic and 21 with non-neoplastic meningitis. A history of previous cancer was significantly higher in neoplastic cases, whereas prevalence of autoimmune disease and fever was more common in non-neoplastic meningitis. C-reactive protein values were higher in non-neoplastic CSM, as was pleocytosis in cerebrospinal fluid analysis. The most frequent etiologies were breast and lung cancer for neoplastic meningitis cases; and idiopathic, tuberculous, and fungal infection for non-neoplastic cases. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic and subacute meningitis diagnosis is challenging in daily neurological practice. The results we report contribute information from Latin America regarding etiologies of CSM, which can be identified after a comprehensive evaluation in a majority of cases.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although incidence rates vary, infectious, autoimmune, and neoplastic diseases can all cause chronic and subacute meningitis (CSM). We report a Latin-American, single center, CSM case series, analyzing the main clinical characteristics as well as ancillary diagnostic methods differentiating neoplastic from non-neoplastic etiologies. METHODS: Retrospective review of CSM cases from a single center in Buenos Aires, Argentina. RESULTS: Seventy patients with CSM diagnosis were identified, 49 with neoplastic and 21 with non-neoplastic meningitis. A history of previous cancer was significantly higher in neoplastic cases, whereas prevalence of autoimmune disease and fever was more common in non-neoplastic meningitis. C-reactive protein values were higher in non-neoplastic CSM, as was pleocytosis in cerebrospinal fluid analysis. The most frequent etiologies were breast and lung cancer for neoplastic meningitis cases; and idiopathic, tuberculous, and fungal infection for non-neoplastic cases. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic and subacute meningitis diagnosis is challenging in daily neurological practice. The results we report contribute information from Latin America regarding etiologies of CSM, which can be identified after a comprehensive evaluation in a majority of cases.
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