Meningitis
Meningitis is inflammation or infection of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord.
When to get help quickly: Meningitis can be life-threatening and needs urgent medical attention, especially if there is fever with severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, or a non-fading rash.
Common symptoms
Symptoms often include fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion, and sometimes a rash that does not fade when pressed.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps when doctors need to look for complications, check for swelling or pressure effects, or decide whether it is safe to do further procedures such as lumbar puncture.
What radiology does
Imaging does not diagnose meningitis by itself, but CT or MRI may be used to look for complications before or after lumbar puncture.
What usually happens next
Management can be urgent and may include antibiotics, antivirals, supportive care, and specialist neurological input.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.