Meningococcus - Mental Retardation

meningococcus

(mĕn-ĭn″gō-kŏk′ŭs) pl. meningococci A microorganism of the species Neisseria meningitidis, one of the causative agents of meningitis.

meningocortical

(mĕ-nin″gō-kort′ĭ-kăl, mĕ-ning″gō-kort′ĭ-kăl) [meningo- + cortical] Pert. to the meninges and the cortex of the brain.

meningoencephalitis

(mĕ-ning″gō-ĕn-sef ″ă-līt′ĭs) [meningo- + encephalitis] Inflammation of the brain and its meninges. SYN: encephalomeningitis. SEE: encephalitis; meningitis.

 primary amebic m. Meningoencephalitis caused by free-living amebae ordinarily found in water, soil, and decaying vegetation. Organisms that can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis include Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba culbertsoni, and other species of Acanthamoeba. The amebae are acquired by swimming in freshwater lakes and sniffing water into the nasal cavities.

 SYMPTOMS: The symptoms are similar to those of acute meningococcal meningitis.

 TREATMENT: For Naegleria infections, amphotericin B, miconazole, and rifampin are effective if given early in the disease, but diagnosis of this rare disease is often delayed, and few patients survive. Acanthamoeba species are sensitive to pentamidine, propamidine, ketoconazole, miconazole, neomycin, and flucytosine.

meningoencephalocele

(mĕn-ĭn″gō-ĕn-sĕf′ăl-ō-sēl) [″ + ″ + kele, tumor, swelling] Hernial protrusion of brain and meninges through a defect in the skull.

meningoencephalomyelitis

(mĕn-ĭn″gō-ĕn-sĕf″ăl-ō-mī-ĕl-ī′tĭs) [″ + ″ + myelos, marrow, + itis, inflammation] Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, and their meninges.

meningomyelitis

(mĕn-ĭn″gō-mī″ĕl-ī′tĭs) [″ + myelos, marrow, + itis, inflammation] Inflammation of the spinal cord and its enveloping membranes.

meningomyelocele

(mĕ-nĭng″gō-mī′ĕ-lō-sēl″) [″ + ″ + kele, tumor, swelling] Myelomeningocele.

meningoradiculitis

(mĕ-nĭng″gō-ră-dĭk″ū-lī′tĭs) [″ + ″ + Gr. itis, inflammation] Inflammation of the meninges and roots of the spinal nerves.

meninx

(mē′ningks, men′ingks, mĕ-nin′jēz″) pl. meninges [Gr. mēninx, stem mēning-, membrane] 1. Membrane. 2. Any of the three membranes investing the spinal cord and brain: dura mater (external), arachnoid (middle), and pia mater (internal). meningeal (men″ĭn-jē′ăl), adj.

meniscectomy

(mĕn″ĭ-sĕk′tō-mē) [″ + ektome, excision] Removal of a torn meniscus from the knee, typically done because of pain, loss of function, or arthritic changes. It may be performed via open surgery, but is often done arthroscopically in a same-day surgical setting.

PATIENT CARE: The patient's dressing, peripheral pulses, and sensory and motor status of the affected area are evaluated every 2 hr after surgery. Knee immobility is maintained for a specified period. Use of crutches or walker with partial weight bearing may often begin in 1 to 2 days. The affected leg is kept elevated to prevent or reduce swelling, and ice is ...