[2] The signs and symptoms of DIAM are similar to infectious meningitis including but not limited to headache, fever, neck stiffness, altered mental status and other neurological deficits such as numbness, paresthesias, seizure or weakness.
The pathogenesis of DIAM is poorly understood and may be related to autoimmune hypersensitivity reactions, although it may vary depending on the inciting medication.
[3] Historically, the process of diagnosis involved attempting to identify any infectious causes as these may be treatable with antibiotics or other medications.
Lumbar puncture would be performed to collect cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) to culture for bacterial growth.
[1] Recent medical advances allows rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing that analyzes the CSF for DNA or RNA.
[3] MRI and CT imaging of the brain has shown changes consistent with Blood-brain barrier disruption or cerebral edema including T2-weighted changes that were normalized after resolution of the condition.