Cerebromeningeal tuberculosis: 15 pediatric cases
Ould Khalifa, I.; Selmi, H.; Tabaeki, B.; Ould Beddi, M.; Sidi Mohamed, A.O.; Yacoub, M.; Sahloul Essoussi, A.
La Tunisie Medicale 79(1): 20-25
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-4131 PMID: 11332339 Document Number: 535536
Fifteen patients (9 girls and 6 boys) with different forms of cerebromeningeal tuberculosis (meningitis: 13 cases, tuberculoma: 2 cases) was reported. Their mean age was 6 years (4 months to 14 years). The initial diagnosis was difficult. Half patients had meningism, abnormal mental state and defects signs. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leukocyte count was > 20/mm3, protein > 1 g/l (66%) and glucose < 2.2 mmol/l (80%). BK was isolated in 7 patients. Five patients (33%) died. Major neurological sequelae developed in 5 patients and 5 patients completely recovered. Factors predicting fatal outcome and permanent sequelae were: diagnosis delay, altered level of consciousness, hypotrophy and low glucose level in CSF.