LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Meningitis: Spinal Cord
built 619 days ago
The first step in the diagnosis of meningitis is by culture and analysis of the spinal fluid (cerebrospinal fluid, CSF). Spinal fluid is obtained by inserting a needle into the meninges of the spinal cord. CSF analysis helps determine if the causative organism is a bacteria, virus, mycobaterium or otherwise. The culture helps to identify the definitive organism.
Source:
Bacterial meningitis may be suspected based on the history, physical exam, and initial blood tests, but the diagnosis is made by a procedure called a lumbar puncture, or spinal tap. Here a small needle is placed in the fluid-filled space in the small of the back, just below the spinal cord. This fluid is tested for the presence of inflammation and for organisms.
Source:
The presence of white blood cells in the CSF is ... a clue to the presence of meningitis. The immune system produces white blood cells to fight off infections. A healthy body would normally not have white blood cells in the CSF. If they are present, the immune system is probably fighting an infection in the brain or spinal cord, such as meningitis.
Source:
[O]f all, meningitis is not the same condition as encephalitis, although they both occur in the brain. Meningitis is the inflammation of the tissue lining of the brain and spinal cord, the meninges. Encephalitis is the inflammation of the brain itself. There are two broad categories of meningitis, viral and bacterial.
Source:
Infection of the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, is called meningitis and inflammation of the brain itself is called encephalitis. Myelitis is an infection of the spinal cord. When both the brain and the spinal cord become inflamed, the condition is called encephalomyelitis.
Source:
Many of the bacteria and viruses that cause meningitis are fairly common and are typically associated with other routine illnesses. Bacteria and viruses that infect the skin, urinary system, gastrointestinal or respiratory tract can spread by the bloodstream to the meninges through cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that circulates in and around the spinal cord.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Spinal Cord