Comparative Analysis of Complications in Meningitis Patient Tuberculous vs. Bacterial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36552/pjns.v29i2.1045Keywords:
Bacterial meningitis,, Tuberculous meningitis, complications, Hydrocephalus,, Infarcts,, Tuberculoma, Abscess,, CerebritisAbstract
Objective: This comparative analysis aims to evaluate the patterns of radiological complications in bacterial meningitis against those seen in tuberculous meningitis.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of imaging and clinical data was conducted. The frequency of complications such as hydrocephalus, infarcts, tuberculomas, abscesses, and cerebritis was analyzed in both cohorts.
Results: Hydrocephalus was significantly more frequent in TBM (46.9%) compared to ABM (23%, p < 0.001). Tuberculomas were exclusive to TBM (57.3%, p < 0.001), while abscesses (6.3%) and subdural collections (8.4%) were unique to ABM (p < 0.05). Infarcts occurred at similar rates in both groups (27% vs. 28.1%, p = 0.88). Logistic regression identified TBM as an independent predictor of hydrocephalus (OR: 3.4, 95% CI: 2.1–5.8,
p < 0.001) and tuberculomas (OR: 18.7, 95% CI: 11.4–30.9, p < 0.001). These findings emphasize the distinct radiological complication patterns in ABM and TBM, aiding in tailored management strategies.
Conclusion: The use of regression analysis provided new insights into predictors of complications; while cerebral infarcts are common in both ABM and TBM, TBM showed a greater burden of complications, particularly hydrocephalus and tuberculomas. The findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis and tailored treatment strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality in both forms of meningitis.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Hafeez Ur Rehman, Shamsullah Burki, Muhammad Nauman Akram, Syed Murtaza Shah Bukhari, Mian zia shah, Ahsan Burki, Mian Raza Shah, Amir AliThe work published by PJNS is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0). Copyrights on any open access article published by Pakistan Journal of Neurological Surgery are retained by the author(s).
