A previously well, 19-year-old female presents with fever, headache, photophobia and neck stiffness.
a) List three clinical features that would indicate the need for a brain CT scan prior to lumbar puncture in this patient. (25% marks)
a)
Features which would make one want to exclude space-occupying lesions before performing an LP:
Oh's Manual only lists papilloedema seizures and focal neurological signs as contraindications to an LP.
Oh's Intensive Care manual: Chapter 54 (pp. 597) Meningitis and encephalomyelitis by Angus M Kennedy
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