Tuberculous Meningitis: A Retrospective Study on Complications and Imaging Findings and Their Outcomes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36552/pjns.v28i3.992Keywords:
tubercular meningitis, complications, infarcts, hydrocephalis, tuberculomasAbstract
Objective: This study aims to emphasize the need for radiologists to remain vigilant about the common imaging findings and complications of CNS-TB (central nervous system tuberculosis), particularly TBM (tuberculous meningitis), to improve diagnosis and patient management.
Materials and methods: The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of radiological findings from 96 TBM patients at a tertiary care hospital, focusing on the frequency of TBM complications identified through MRI and CT, and their correlation with age, gender, and outcomes.
Results: A total of 96 patients having TBM (median age 21.6 years, range 8 months–70 years) were identified. There were 36 (37.5%) males and 60 (62.5%) females. Complications occurred in a significant portion of the cohort: tuberculoma (n = 55, 57.3%), hydrocephalus (n = 45, 46.9%), infarcts (n = 27, 28.1%), and cerebritis
(n = 4, 4.2%). 11 patients of the study population died. Deaths were primarily related to tuberculomas (45.45%), hydrocephalus (27.27%), and infarcts (45.45%). Adult females showed a higher prevalence of fatal complications, indicating significant gender differences.
Conclusion: In TBM, the most common complications are tuberculomas and hydrocephalus, followed by infarcts and cerebritis. Notably, adult females show a higher prevalence of fatal complications. These results emphasize the need for early detection and targeted management strategies to improve patient outcomes
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