title: Cerebral infarction in chronic meningitis: a comparison of tuberculous meningitis and cryptococcal meningitis.
abstract: Twenty-eight patients with cerebral infarction secondary to chronic meningitis were retrospectively identified at our institution over a period of 5 years. They accounted for 47% (17/36) of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and 32% (11/34) of cryptococcal meningitis cases. Single infarctions were found in 15 patients and multiple infarctions in 13. The distribution of single infarctions was: basal ganglia 7; internal capsule 3; thalamus 1; cerebellum 1; and cortical infarct 3. Therapeutic outcomes at 3 months were determined using a modified Barthel INDEX: At follow-up of 3 months or more, 10 had good outcomes while the other 18 had poor outcomes. The 18 with poor outcomes included six who died, and 12 who had severe neurological sequelae. TBM and cryptococcal meningitis shared similar clinical features, both being frequently associated with other neurological complications, including hydrocephalus, cranial nerve palsy, and seizures in our patients. However, extracranial involvement, such as spinal and pulmonary involvement, was more commonly found in TBM patients. Cerebral infarction can occur in both the acute stage and later stages of treatment. Mortality and morbidity are high, and early diagnosis and appropriate antimicrobial treatment are essential. If hydrocephalus is demonstrated, early ventricular decompression is needed to prevent further cerebral ischaemia.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.forename: W N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lui
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D016919:Meningitis, Cryptococcal / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014390:Tuberculosis, Meningeal / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000995:Antitubercular Agents