| Theme |
Disorder of central nerve system in dialysis patients |
| Title |
Central nervous system infectious disease in dialysis patients |
| Author |
Homare Shimohata |
Department of Nephrology, Tokyo Medical University Ibaraki Medical Center |
| Author |
Masaki Kobayashi |
Department of Nephrology, Tokyo Medical University Ibaraki Medical Center |
| [ Summary ] |
Dialysis patients are prone to infectious disease because of their immunocompromised conditions and malnutrition. Although incident rates for central nervous system infectious disease, such as bacterial meningitis and viral encephalitis in dialysis patients are low compared to those related to vascular access infections or pneumonia, those conditions are often severe and even lethal. As a result, early detection and early treatment is important to save patients' lives. It is difficult to distinguish between uremic neuropathy and central nervous system infectious diseases by conducting physical examinations. However, uremic neuropathy often improves after dialysis. It is necessary to conduct imaging tests and lumbar punctures immediately if central nervous system infections are suspected. |