Tuberculous meningitis in adults: an eleven-year review.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the presentation, diagnosis and outcome of patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM).


METHODS
The medical records of adults with TBM who were treated at Dicle University Hospital between January 1985 and October 1996 were reviewed.


RESULTS
In total, 101 patients were identified and stratified according to the stage of disease at presentation. The mean duration of the symptoms of TBM before admission was 12 days. The majority of patients had headaches (96.0%), fever (91.1%), nuchal rigidity (91.1%), vomiting (81.2%), meningism (79.2%) and abnormal mental state (72.3%). The mean cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leukocyte count was 0.38 x 10(9)/L, protein 1410 mg/L, glucose 2.0 mmol/L and CSF/blood glucose ratio 27%. Cranial computerized tomography (CT) scans were performed during the course of TBM in 64 patients. The results were normal in 6.3%, and abnormal in 93.7% of the cases; the most frequent abnormality found on CT was hydrocephalus (45.3%). Forty-four patients (43.5%) died. Minor neurological sequelae developed in 11 patients (10.9%), major sequelae in 10 (9.9%), and 31 patients (30.7%) completely recovered. There was no follow-up for five patients (5.0%). Five factors were important in predicting fatal outcome: stage III at presentation, low glucose levels, low CSF/blood glucose ratio, high protein levels, and CT scanning abnormality.


CONCLUSIONS
TBM is a very critical disease in terms of fatal outcome and permanent sequelae: 43.5% of the patients died and only 30.7% experienced complete recovery. Early treatment may reduce fatal outcome and morbidity.
Hosoğlu
S
S
Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Ayaz
C
C
Geyik
M F
MF
Kökoğlu
O F
OF
Ceviz
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014390:Tuberculosis, Meningeal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality
D000995:Antitubercular Agents