Serial transcranial Doppler study in meningitis

Serial transcranial doppler studies were carried out in 12 patients, who developed meningitis during their hospital stay. Blood flow velocities in large basal vessels of the anterior circle of Willis were correlated with CSF pleocytosis and CSF sugar values. Mean blood flow velocities were found to be directly proportional to the CSF white blood cell (WBC) count and were inversely proportional to the CSF sugar values. Blood flow velocities were higher when CSF WBC count was raised. With only one exception these velocities decreased progressively with a fall in the CSF WBC count. At the time of meningitis there occurred a reduction in CSF sugar values and the blood flow velocities were significantly higher. With increase in CSF sugar values there occurred a gradual fall in the blood flow velocities.