[Cerebromeningeal tuberculosis. X-ray computed tomographic aspects apropos of 36 cases]

Thirty-six patients with different clinical and topographic forms of cerebromeningeal tuberculosis: meningitis, meningo-encephalitis, tuberculoma, abscess and their complications, were investigated by CT scans. Whereas standard films allow diagnosis of intracranial hypertension, other neurological examinations are very insufficient when compared with CT imaging, a non-invasive procedure which provides presumptive signs of a tuberculous lesion and thus assists diagnosis, and assessment and follow up of results of treatment. Meningitis and meningo-encephalitis are seen as isodense images of cisternae of base of skull with marked increase after contrast, which may provoke the appearance of hyperdense nodules. More or less widespread hypodensities are provoked by meningoencephalitis, cerebral tuberculosis appearing as an iso- or hyperdense mass forming an annular shape after contrast. Calcification is a rare finding and appears as punctiform zones in the center of a tuberculoma, while a tuberculous abscess has the identical appearance to that of a nodular tuberculoma.