[Tubercular meningoencephalitis: evaluation of 231 cases]

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 1998 Sep-Oct;31(5):441-7. doi: 10.1590/s0037-86821998000500004.
[Article in Portuguese]

Abstract

This study assessed 231 cases of tuberculous meningitis of which 62 (26.8%) had diagnostic confirmation against 169 (73.2%) with only clinical picture and laboratorial indication for this diagnosis. Fifty-five percent of the sample was male; ages ranged from one month to 68 years, 42% comprising children below four years. Clinical, demographic and liquoric characteristics were investigated and compared amongst those with likely and confirmed diagnosis. In conclusion, attention is drawn to the severity of this disease with high rates of lethality mainly within the age-range of 0-4 years, and to the possibility of misdiagnosis in the presentation of acute forms and predominance of neutrophils in the liquor.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / epidemiology*
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / physiopathology