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Table 2 Clinical and laboratory features of bacterial meningitis patients with and without hydrocephalus

From: Hydrocephalus is a rare outcome in community-acquired bacterial meningitis in adults: a retrospective analysis

Characteristicsa

Patients with hydrocephalus

Scanned patients without hydrocephalus

 

(n = 5)

(n = 115)

Symptom duration (days)

3.5

2

Headache

3

66

Nausea

2

54

Confusion

4

114

GCS b

  

   <9

1

19

   9-12

1

49

   >12

3

47

MAP (mm Hg)

104

N/A

ICP (mm Hg)

-

 

Heart rate (beats/min)

85

100

CRP (mg/L)

293

232

Cranial nerve paresis

2

22

Sensory / motor nerve deficit

0

11

Seizures before/during admission

0

14

CSF leukocytes (x10^ 6 /L)

2766

1702

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (%)

84

92

CSF erythrocytes (x10^ 6 /L)

115

140

CSF:blood glucose index

0.005

4

CSF protein (g/L)

5.9

455

Positive CSF culture

5

103

Positive blood culture

2

86

Antibiotics

  

   Day 1

4

99

   Day 2

0

9

   After day 2

1

7c

Dexamethasone d

0

30

GOS e

  

   Unfavourable outcome (GOS 1–4)

5

55

   Favourable outcome (GOS 5)

0

60

Length of stay (days)

17 (3–51)

19 (1–82)

  1. a Median values are used for continuous variables.
  2. b Not all patients had Glasgow Coma Scale score estimated in the records at admission but could be assessed to have a score <9, 9–12 or >12 based upon data review.
  3. c One patient never scanned was not given appropriate antibiotic therapy during admission for unclear reasons.
  4. d 10 mg of dexamethasone q.i.d. for four days initiated preferably before and not later than within one hour of administration of intravenous antibiotics.
  5. e Glasgow Outcome Scale: 1. Death, 2. Vegetative state, 3. Dependent upon others in daily life, 4. Sequelae, but independent life, 5. No or only minor sequelae.
  6. Abbreviations: CSF Cerebrospinal fluid, GCS Glasgow coma scale, GOS Glasgow outcome scale, ICP Intracranial pressure, MAP Mean arterial pressure, N/A Not available.