Tuberculous meningitis: Difference between revisions

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* High mortality, often needs empiric treatment even before confirmed diagnosis
* High mortality, often needs empiric treatment even before confirmed diagnosis


== Classification ==
== Background ==
=== Classification ===

* Stage 1: normal level of consciousness, no focal neurological deficits
* Stage 1: normal level of consciousness, no focal neurological deficits
* Stage 2: decreased level of counsciousness, significant focal neurological deficits
* Stage 2: decreased level of counsciousness, significant focal neurological deficits
* Stage 3: seizures, comatose
* Stage 3: seizures, comatose


== Epidemiology ==
=== Epidemiology ===

* About 1% of TB cases in Canada
* About 1% of TB cases in Canada


== Differential Diagnosis ==
=== Differential Diagnosis ===

* Fungal meningitis
* Fungal meningitis
* Sarcoidosis
* Sarcoidosis
* Neoplasm
* Neoplasm


== Risk Factors ==
=== Risk Factors ===

* Young
* Young
* Female
* Female
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* Previous TB
* Previous TB


== Presentation ==
== Clinical Presentation ==

=== History ===
=== History ===


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=== Physical Exam ===
=== Physical Exam ===

* Meningeal symptoms
* Meningeal symptoms
* Fevers
* Fevers
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== Investigations ==
== Investigations ==

* Lumbar puncture
* Lumbar puncture
** Increased lymphocytes, decreased glucose, and increased protein
** Increased lymphocytes, decreased glucose, and increased protein
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== Management ==
== Management ==

* Rule out neoplasm and fungus, then start empiric treatment
* Rule out neoplasm and fungus, then start empiric treatment
* HIV test (delay antiretrovirals by 8 weeks, though)
* HIV test (delay antiretrovirals by 8 weeks, though)
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== Prognosis ==
== Prognosis ==

* Depends on stage at presentation
* Depends on stage at presentation
* Mortality is high
* Mortality is high

Revision as of 00:54, 21 January 2020

Background

Classification

  • Stage 1: normal level of consciousness, no focal neurological deficits
  • Stage 2: decreased level of counsciousness, significant focal neurological deficits
  • Stage 3: seizures, comatose

Epidemiology

  • About 1% of TB cases in Canada

Differential Diagnosis

  • Fungal meningitis
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Neoplasm

Risk Factors

  • Young
  • Female
  • Originally from endemic country
  • Previous TB

Clinical Presentation

History

  • Prodrome (1-3 weeks)
    • Personality changes
    • Low-grade fever
    • Malaise
    • Weight loss
    • Gradual onset of worsening headache
  • Headache
  • Fevers
  • Vomiting
  • Confusion
  • Personality changes
  • Photophobia (only 5-10%)
  • Seizures

Physical Exam

  • Meningeal symptoms
  • Fevers
  • Vomiting
  • Meningismus
  • Focal neurological deficits
    • Cranial nerve palsies in VI, III, and IV
    • Hemiplegia, paraplegia
    • Urinary retention
  • Confusion, coma

Investigations

  • Lumbar puncture
    • Increased lymphocytes, decreased glucose, and increased protein
    • Need 3-5mL of CSF for culture
    • May need serial LPs
  • CT head

Management

  • Rule out neoplasm and fungus, then start empiric treatment
  • HIV test (delay antiretrovirals by 8 weeks, though)
  • Standard HREZ x2mo then HR x7-10mo
    • Can replace ethambutol with a fluoroquinolone
  • Dexamethasone 3mg po qid x2wk then taper over 6-8wks
    • High risk of IRIS

Prognosis

  • Depends on stage at presentation
  • Mortality is high
    • Stage 1: 10-20%
    • Stage 2: 20-40%
    • Stage 3: 60%
  • Morbidity is high, with about 20% of patient being left with significant neurological sequelae
    • Mental retardation
    • Psychiatric disorders
    • Seizures
    • Blindness
    • Deafness
    • Ophthalmoplegia
    • Hemiparesis

References

  1. ^  GE Thwaites, TTH Chau, K Stepniewska, NH Phu, LV Chuong, DX Sinh, NJ White, CM Parry, JJ Farrar. Diagnosis of adult tuberculous meningitis by use of clinical and laboratory features. The Lancet. 2002;360(9342):1287-1292. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(02)11318-3.