Neuroimaging features of tuberculous meningitis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Radiology

Background:

• Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a severe infection with high mortality.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for better patient outcomes.
• Neuroimaging plays a vital role in the initial assessment of TBM.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of neuroimaging in diagnosing tuberculous meningitis.
• To identify common neuroimaging findings in TBM patients.
• To assess the effectiveness of contrasted CT scans in detecting TBM abnormalities.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 42 patients diagnosed with TBM over 7 years.
• Analysis of clinical data, cerebrospinal fluid results, and treatment response.
• Evaluation of neuroimaging findings, including contrasted CT scans.

Main Results:

• 95.2% of patients exhibited neuroimaging abnormalities.
• Hydrocephalus and meningeal enhancement were the most frequent findings.
• Contrasted CT scans demonstrated high sensitivity in identifying TBM-related abnormalities.

Conclusions:

• Neuroimaging is highly effective in diagnosing TBM.
• Contrasted CT scans are adequate for detecting abnormalities in TBM.
• Early detection through neuroimaging facilitates timely chemotherapy and improves prognosis.