Clinical analysis was made on 12 cases of tuberculous meningitis which have been experienced since 1962.
The diagnosis o f tuberculous meningitis was made by autopsy in 5 cases, by the presence of tubercle bacilli in cerebrospinal fluid in 3 cases, and by the typical symptoms and signs in 4 cases.
Four patients were male and eight were female. As to the age, only one case was oneyearold, one case from 10 to 19, 6 cases from 20 to 39, 2 cases from 40 to 59, and 2 cases more than 60.
The previous history of tuberculosis was found in 5 cases; among them, 3 had previous tuberculosis 1 to 4 years before the onset of tuberculous meningitis, and in the other 2 cases the date of previous tuberculosis was unclear.
Miliary tuberculosis was complicate d in 7 cases, pulmonaly tuberculosis in 3 cases, retinochorioiditis in 1 case, and renal tuberculosis in 1 case.
Body temperature ranged 38.0°C to 38.9°C in 7, 39.0°C to 39.9°C in 4, and 40.0°C or over in 1. Headache was complained of in 9 out of 10 cases with clear consciousness, and nausea and/or vomiting in 3 cases. Central nerve system disturbance, convulsion and/or rigidity were observed in 5 cases.
The cerebrospinal fluid findings in our cases were typical in the majority of cases, and tubercle bacilli in cerebrospinal fluid were positive in 6 cases.
As to its pathogenesis, early dissemination was su g gested in only one case in which meningitis developed soon after primary tuberculosis, and late dissemination in 5 cases with previous history of tuberculosis before one year or more, and unclear in 6 cases.
All cases were treated with antituberculous drugs, and corticosteroid was used in 11cases.
The prognosis was good in 5 cases but 7 cases died. It was thought that the most imortant factor influencing the prognosis was the pretreatment degree of disturbance of the consciousness.
In conclusion, tuberculosis meningitis in recent years was seen mostly in adults, developed by late dissemination, and the prognosis was not so good.
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