Modern approaches to diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis
Abstract
This article reviews recent publications on tuberculous meningitis. The pathomorphology of the changes, clinical differences from other types of meningitis, diagnostic features of CSF examination and neuroradiological disorders detected by MRI are described. Conclusions. Tuberculous meningitis is more common in countries with a high burden of tuberculosis, in children who have not received BCG vaccination, in HIV-infected individuals, and in patients with untreated pulmonary tuberculosis. The duration of symptoms may vary from 1 day to 9 months and the prodrome is usually non-specific. Diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis is complex and often delayed, and it is therefore necessary to use the full range of diagnostic tools available when tuberculous meningitis is suspected, including clinical and radiological methods, MRI and examination of cerebrospinal fluid.