What are the sequelae of meningoencephalitis?

Meningitis is a common disease in clinical practice and is caused by infection. If meningitis is not treated promptly, it may cause permanent brain damage or even death. Meningoencephalitis can be fully recovered after treatment, but it will leave a few sequelae, such as hydrocephalus in patients.

1. Hydrocephalus

When suffering from meningitis, purulent exudate can easily block narrow channels or cause adhesions, causing cerebrospinal circulation disorders and producing hydrocephalus. It is common in patients who are treated improperly or too late, especially in newborns and infants. It is caused by meningeal adhesion and cerebrospinal fluid circulation disorder.

2. Aphasia due to brain trauma

Aphasia refers to the loss of language comprehension and expression ability due to damage to the language center of the cerebral cortex. Language disorders can manifest in many forms. One person may lose only the ability to understand written language, while another may be unable to recall or name an object. Some people with anomia do not remember the correct name of an object, while others know the word but are unable to express it. Dysarthria is the inability to pronounce words clearly and accurately.

3. Agnosia due to brain injury

Agnosia is a rare condition in which a person is able to see or sense an object but is unable to relate it to its purpose or function. Agnosia occurs when a person cannot recognize familiar faces or common objects such as spoons or pencils, even though he or she can see and describe them.

4. Epilepsy after brain trauma

Post-traumatic epilepsy refers to epilepsy that occurs after brain injury. Epileptic seizures are caused by abnormal discharges of brain neurons. 10% of patients with severe non-penetrating brain injuries and 40% of patients with penetrating brain injuries develop epilepsy, which may occur several years after the brain trauma. The type of seizure is related to the site where the abnormal discharge originates.

5. General symptoms

In addition to water and electrolyte imbalance caused by vomiting, irregular eating, etc., cerebral hyponatremia may also be seen. Symptoms include insomnia, convulsions, coma, edema, general weakness, low muscle tone in the limbs, and oliguria.

6. Various inflammations

Due to damage to the brain parenchyma and adhesions, cranial nerves may be affected or limb paralysis may occur. Brain abscess, intracranial arteritis and secondary epilepsy may also occur. Fulminant meningococcal disease may be accompanied by DIC and shock. In addition, otitis media, pneumonia, and arthritis may occasionally occur.

7. Paralysis due to cranial nerve damage

Such as deafness, visual impairment, strabismus, facial nerve paralysis, etc.

8. Blockage

Vasculitis at the base of the brain causes obstruction of the lumen, leading to cerebral ischemia and infarction in the corresponding parts of the brain.