Tuberculous meningitis: a 30-year review

Clin Infect Dis. 1993 Dec;17(6):987-94. doi: 10.1093/clinids/17.6.987.

Abstract

Tuberculous meningitis remains an important illness that can be difficult to diagnose in a timely fashion and carries significant morbidity. We present a retrospective review of the cases of tuberculous meningitis diagnosed and treated at a single institution. Fifty-eight cases were identified and stratified according to stage of disease at presentation. Four patients (7%) died; three (5%) developed severe neurological sequelae. Poor outcomes were largely confined to cases presenting in an advanced stage and at the extremes of age. Corticosteroids were administered to 56 patients and may have contributed to the comparatively good outcome in these cases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Australia
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / chemistry
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / cytology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / isolation & purification
  • Time Factors
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Antitubercular Agents