PSEUDOMENINGITIS Meaning and
Definition
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Pseudomeningitis is a medical condition characterized by the inflammation of the meninges, which are the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. However, the term "pseudomeningitis" itself refers to a condition that mimics the symptoms and signs of the true form of meningitis, but isn't caused by an infection or inflammation of the meninges.
Pseudomeningitis is typically triggered by other non-infectious factors such as drug reactions, autoimmune disorders, or certain medical procedures. The symptoms of pseudomeningitis closely resemble those of actual meningitis and may include severe headaches, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light (photophobia), fever, nausea, vomiting, and altered mental state.
The diagnosis of pseudomeningitis is usually achieved through a thorough examination and the exclusion of other potential causes of true meningitis, such as infections or tumors. Medical imaging, like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cerebrospinal fluid analysis may be performed to help confirm the absence of infection.
Treatment for pseudomeningitis primarily focuses on managing the underlying cause. This may involve stopping the use of certain medications, treating autoimmune disorders with immunosuppressive drugs, or providing supportive care to alleviate symptoms. In some cases, a lumbar puncture or spinal tap may be performed to help relieve symptoms or rule out other potential causes.
It is crucial to differentiate between pseudomeningitis and true meningitis as the latter is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention and specific treatments such as antibiotics or antiviral medications.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PSEUDOMENINGITIS
- oseudomeningitis
- lseudomeningitis
- -seudomeningitis
- 0seudomeningitis
- paeudomeningitis
- pzeudomeningitis
- pxeudomeningitis
- pdeudomeningitis
- peeudomeningitis
- pweudomeningitis
- pswudomeningitis
- pssudomeningitis
- psdudomeningitis
- psrudomeningitis
- ps4udomeningitis
- ps3udomeningitis
- pseydomeningitis
- psehdomeningitis
- psejdomeningitis
- pseidomeningitis
Etymology of PSEUDOMENINGITIS
The word "pseudomeningitis" is formed by combining two roots: "pseudo-" and "meningitis".
1. "Pseudo-" comes from the Greek word "pseudes", meaning "false" or "fake". It is commonly used as a prefix to describe something as deceptive, resembling, or imitating something else falsely.
2. "Meningitis" derives from the Late Latin "meninges", which refers to the three membranes (pia mater, arachnoid mater, and dura mater) that cover the brain and spinal cord. The word is the combination of the Latin "meninx" meaning "membrane" or "cover" and the suffix "-itis", indicating inflammation.
Therefore, "pseudomeningitis" is a medical term that describes a condition with symptoms resembling meningitis but not caused by inflammation of the meninges.
