| Popis: |
Acute bacterial meningitis remains an important problem in contemporary medical practice, marked by continued significant mortality and morbidity in spite of antibiotics that are very active against the common pathogens. The age of the patient, infecting organism, and time to diagnosis are the most important determinants of outcome, with death occurring in 3–70% of patients and neurologic residua affecting 10–50% of survivors.1 While survival and level of neurologic function remain the primary considerations when one deals with the complications of meningitis, it is important to recognize that the disease process is a dynamic one, and that different phases present the clinician with varying problems that commonly occur at those times. In order to optimize care, the clinician must manage the patient in an anticipatory fashion, with a thorough understanding of the evolving illness. |
