Tuberculous meningitis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Scand J Infect Dis. 1996;28(2):195-6. doi: 10.3109/00365549609049076.

Abstract

Mycobacterial infection has been recognized as a complication in patients with malignancy. Tuberculous (TB) meningitis has not been reported in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC); it may have been overlooked or confused with the underlying malignancy or meningitis caused by other microorganisms. We describe the occurrence of culture-proven TB meningitis in 2 NPC patients. The time lag between the diagnosis of NPC and the occurrence of TB meningitis was 4 years in 1 patient and 6 years in the other. In both patients, the diagnosis of TB meningitis was delayed; they were initially treated for bacterial meningitis. Subsequent antituberculous chemotherapy was successful in 1 patient but failed in the other. Recognition of the infection is important for early diagnosis and proper treatment of this potentially fatal condition in patients with NPC.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / complications*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / complications*
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / complications*
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / physiopathology