Chronic meningitis

Diagnosis of the cause of chronic meningitis demands consideration of numerous infectious and noninfectious diseases. The high morbidity and mortality associated with many of these diseases and the tendency of some to progress in a fulminant manner, justify invasive diagnostic procedures and the administration of toxic drugs. In order to avoid the use of multiple empiric therapies, a specific diagnosis must be achieved. Aspects of the history and physical examination and laboratory data that may be helpful in this regard will now be discussed.