Causes of a Seizure

While the exact cause of some seizures can be hard to

pinpoint, many seizures can be classified as
either provoked or unprovoked. A provoked seizure would
include traumatic injuries to the head, whereas an unprovoked
seizure would include seizures caused by, for example, a
congenital defect.

Unprovoked (natural) seizures:

brain tumors
hemimegalencephaly
cortical dysplasia
mesial temporal sclerosis
drug withdrawal
medications

Some seizures may be caused by natural phenomena

occurring in the body, such as a congenital defect or a
chemical imbalance. One example of this is a condition
called GLUT-1 deficiency. Other examples include:
genetic factors
congenital (present at birth) problems or conditions
metabolic or chemical imbalances in the body
fever/infection

Kernig's sign in meningitis, inability to

completely extend the leg when sitting or lying
with the thigh flexed upon the abdomen; when in
dorsal decubitus position, the leg can be easily
and completely extended.
Kernig's sign should be tested for if meningitis is
suspected.

infection

Each hip is flexed in turn, and then attempt to

straighten the knee while keeping the hip flexed.

neurological problems

In a meningitis, this movement is greatly limited by

spasm of hamstrings - which in turn causes pain - due
to inflammatory exudates around the roots of the
lumbar theca.

Alzheimer's disease
unknown reasons

Provoked seizures:
Some seizures are considered provoked if they are caused by
an event that happened to the individual. Brain injuries are
often the cause of provoked seizures. Other examples include:
birth trauma
alcohol or drugs
head or brain trauma
progressive brain disease
stroke
unknown reasons

Papilloedema is a non-inflammatory congestion of

the optic disc, invariably associated with raised
intracranial pressure. It is most often bilateral. General
features reflect the underlying disease process but a
choked disc is characteristic although differentiation
from papillitis may be difficult.

Meningococcus bacteria are spread through the

exchange of respiratory and throat secretions like spit
(e.g., living in close quarters, kissing). Although it can
be very serious, meningococcal disease can be treated
with antibiotics that prevent severe illness and reduce
the spread of infection from person to person. Quick
medical attention is extremely important if
meningococcal disease is suspected.

What is Meningitis?
Meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes that
cover the brain and spinal cord, can be caused by
infection with a bacterium or virus.

Meningitis is infection and inflamation of the meninges

(the membranes that cover the brain and the spinal
cord). Meningitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses,
fungi and parasites.
Infection of the meninges can be by direct infection but
more probably is secondary to an ascending infection
from another part of the body. The infection could
primarily be in the skin, respiratory tract, nasopharynx or
even the intestinal tract or genitourinary tract. The most
common source however is the respiratory tract. The
agents reach the meninges from the bloodstream or
directly from a nearby infection such as an ear infection
or nasopharynx. Once the agents enter the nervous
system, they survive well because of the lack of immune
response in the nervous system.

Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges

(the membrane lining of the brain and spinal
cord). It usually refers to infections caused by
viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other
microorganisms such as parasites. Bacterial
meningitis is life threatening and can cause death
within hours, if not properly treated. There are
many types of meningitis and whilst the
symptoms are similar for each, the causes,
treatments and outcomes do vary.
Certain groups of people are at increased risk for
meningococcal disease. For some of these groups,
there are vaccines that prevent two of the three major
serogroups ("strains") of Neisseria
meningitidis bacteria that cause most illness in the
United States. Vaccination is the best thing these
people can do to decrease their risk.
Some risk factors include:

Meningococcal disease can refer to any illness that is

caused by the type of bacteria called Neisseria
meningitidis, also known as meningococcus [muhning-goh-KOK-us]. The illness most people are familiar
with is meningococcal meningitis, which people
sometimes just call meningitis. This usually means the
lining of the brain and spinal cord have become
infected with these bacteria. But these bacteria can
also cause other severe illnesses, like bloodstream
infections (bacteremia or septicemia).

Age
o

Meningococcal disease is more

commonly diagnosed among infants,
adolescents and young adults. A vaccine
is available and recommended for all 11
through 18 year olds. A vaccine is also
available for infants and children 9
months of age and older, but it is only
routinely recommended for those with
certain medical conditions. Learn more
about certain age groups being at risk.
Community setting
o
Infectious diseases tend to spread
quickly wherever large groups of people
gather together. As a result, college
students living in dormitories are at
slightly increased risk compared with
other persons of the same age. A vaccine
is available and recommended for all
college freshmen living in a dorm.
However, any college student can receive
the vaccine to decrease their chances of
getting meningococcal disease. Persons

entering the military will receive a

meningococcal vaccine before basic
training. Learn more about those in
community settings being at risk.
Certain medical conditions
o
There are certain diseases, medications
and surgical procedures that put people
at increased risk of meningococcal
disease, such as not having a spleen. A
vaccine is available and recommended for
those with these conditions. Learn more
about those with certain medical
conditions being at risk.
Travel
o
Travelers to the meningitis belt in subSaharan Africa may be at risk for
meningococcal disease, particularly
during the dry season. Learn more about
travelers at risk.

covering the uppemost cervical vertebrae and

their ligaments. Through the remainder of the
vertebral canal, the dura is not attached to the
vertebrae, being separated by the epidural (or
peridural or extradural) space, which contains fat
and the internal vertebral venous plexus. In
caudal analgesia, an anesthetic solution injected
into the sacral hiatus diffuses upward into the
epidural space (see fig. 41-1). This may be used
in surgical procedures relating to pelvic and
perineal regions. Extensions of dura (dural
sheaths) surround the nerve roots and spinal
ganglia, and continue into the connective tissue
coverings (epineurium) of the spinal nerves.

Arachnoid mater.
Anatomy Of Brain : Meninges and Spinal
cord.
Spinal cord

The arachnoid invests the spinal cord loosely.

Continuous with the cerebral arachnoid above, it
traverses the foramen magnum and descends to

The spinal cord, about 45 cm in length, extends

about the S2 vertebral level. The subarachnoid

from the foramen magnum, where it is

space, which contains cerebrospinal fluid (C.S.F.),

continuous with the medulla oblongata, to the

is a wide interval between the arachnoid and

level of the first or second lumbar vertebra (The

pia. Because the spinal cord ends at about the

range is T12 to L3). Below that level, the

level of the L2 vertebra, whereas the

vertebral canal is occupied by spinal nerve roots

subarachnoid space continues to S2, access can

and meninges. A fibrous strand, the filum

be gained to the C.S.F. by inserting a needle

terminale, continues from the spinal cord down to

between the vertebral lamina below the end of

the coccyx

the cord, a procedure termed lumbar

puncture (see fig. 41-1). By this means, the
pressure of C.S.F. can be measured, the fluid can

Meninges

be analyzed, a spinal anesthetic can be

Dura mater.

introduced, or fluid can be replaced by a contrast

The spinal cord, like the brain, is surrounded by

the three meninges. The dura mater extends

medium for radiography (myelography).

Pia mater.

from the foramen magnum to the sacrum and

coccyx (see fig. 41-1). The dura is attached to

The pia mater invests the spinal cord closely,

the foramen magnum and the periosteium

ensheathes the anterior spinal artery (as the

linea splendens), and enters the anterior median

about midway between the attachments of dorsal

fissure. Laterally, the pia forms a discontinuous

and ventral roots.

longitudinal septum, the denticulate ligament

(see fig. 41-3), which sends about 21 tooth-like
processes laterally to fuse with the arachnoid and
dura on each side. The ligament is a surgical
landmark in that it is attached to the spinal cord

The meninges are a system of membranes that

envelop the complete central nervous system
(brain and spinal cord). Important blood vessels
run in the meninges themselves, as in the spaces
between them.