I didn't know that encephalitis and meningitis could possibly come together. Does one of them typically proceed the other or cause the other?
Santana
No, meningitis alone should not cause white matter lesions. By definition it is an infection of the meninges, the membranes that surrounf the outside of the brain and cord. If the meningitis was also accompanied by an encephalitis, like ADEM, yes it could and does often leave lesions.
Back to meningitis. Whether there would be evidence eight months later depends on the type of meningitis. A simple viral infection would likely have completely cleared. But, 9 months later, if there was still signs on LP, I would worry about there being an "ongoing" infection.
The signs of meningitis on an LP are, elevated protein, sometimes low glucose, and the presence of more than a couple white cells. From 10 or 20 to many thousands in the really bad ones. So, I would believe the neuro if he says there was no sign. Meningitis is one of the things that is checked for in all spinal taps.
Hope this helps. I see you have learned to only ask me things I know the answer to, lol. I had to teach that lesson to someone recently.
Quix