Tuberculosis meningitis: Early diagnosis and treatment with clinical analysis of 180 patients

Abstract

Abstract Objective To analyze the clinical, and imaging features of tuberculosis meningitis (TBM) and to improve its diagnostic accuracy. Method The clinical data, image features and clinical outcomes of 180 TBM patients from 2011 to 2013 of Shandong Provincial Chest Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Results The majority of 180 TBM patients were chronic or subacute onset. Extracranial manifestations of TB accounted for 76.7% (138/180) of the cases. Abnormal brain MRI findings were found in 152 TBM patients (152/180, 84.4%), including meningeal thickening and enhancement, tuberculomas, hydrocephalus, and multi-compartment involvement lesions. Three patients died of hydrocephalus. Conclusions The presence of extracranial tuberculosis and typical brain MRI findings are important contributing factors in order to make an early diagnosis of TBM. Imaging examination is of great importance for the prognosis of tuberculous meningitis.