differential diagnosis
Last reviewed 01/2018
Meningitis requires distinction from other conditions which may present with headache, vomiting, and neck stiffness, which include:
- subarachnoid haemorrhage
- migraine
When an organism cannot be identified by staining or when the CSF contains a mixed picture of mononuclear cells and polymorphs, or mononuclear cells alone, then the following conditions can be considered:
- partially treated meningitis
- viral meningitis
- tuberculous meningitis
- neoplastic meningitis
- syphilitic meningitis
- fungal meningitis
- intracranial abscess