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nbme 1 : block 3 : 19 - orthop
#1
19. A 25-year-old man with a history of intravenous drug use comes to the emergency department because of a progressive diffuse headache, generalized malaise, and low-grade fever for 2 months. During this period, he has had a poor appetite resulting in a 6.8-kg (15-lb) weight loss. His temperature is 38 C (100.4 F). Examination shows ¬¬neck stiffness. Mental status examination shows no abnormalities. Cranial nerve examination shows weakness of the lateral rectus muscle on the right and bilateral papilledema. A CT scan of the head with and without contrast shows moderate ventricular enlargement. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid shows:

Opening pressure 220 mm H2O
Glucose 35 mg/dL
Protein 150 mg/dL
WBC 100/mm3
Lymphocytes 100%
RBC 1/mm

A
) Bacterial meningitis

B
) Cerebral infarction

C
) Cryptococcal meningitis

D
) Glioblastoma multiforme

E
) Herpes simplex encephalitis

F
) Hypertensive encephalopathy

G
) Idiopathic intracranial hypertension

H
) Intracerebral hemorrhage

I
) St. Louis encephalitis
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#2
cc
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#3
r we dealing with HIV pt here?
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#4
Yes HIV patient...look for the IV Drug abuser...100% lymphocytes...lymphocytes tell us that its either viral...fungal...and ?... anyways...h/o suggests he might have HIV and its Crypto...
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#5
At first after looking at 100% lymphocytes i was about to pick...choice E...Herpes...

but I reread the questions again..."Mental status examination shows no abnormalities" and choice E is herpes encephalitis...and encephalitis - which should for sure have confusion in the patient...

So Crypto is the correct answer...
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#6
clue to crypto answer:
Looong history- months, doesn't sound severe either
suggestion of immunecompromisation
CSF- lymphocytic pleocytosis
u might even think of TB but not
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#7
will crypto have rbc in csf?
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#8
cryptococcal(Fungak meningitis: CSF: lymphocytosis and low glucose.
Viral meninditis: CSF: lymphocytosis and nl glucose.

HSV encephalitis: CSF: RBC+++
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#9
1 RBC in CSF is not so significant....
IVDU (possible HIV infection)+CSF lymphocytosis and Low CSF sugar===> Cryptococcal (Fungal)meningitis.

If there is altered mental status ranging from mild lethargy to confusion, stupor and coma ; in addtition to fever, headache ,neck stiffness and several RBCs on CSF====> we should think about HSV encephalitis.
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