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Definition of Meningitis

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Inflammation that involves the fluid-filled space within the layers of tissue (meninges) that cover the brain and spinal cord are called meningitis. Meningitis is usually caused by bacterial or viral infection. Less often, meningitis results from disorders that are not infections, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or cancers that spread to the brain.

Last full review/revision May 2008 by Michael Jacewicz, MD

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Pronunciations

dementia

lymphocytic choriomeningitis

lymphoma

meninges

meningitis

sclerosis

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