Central Nervous System Tuberculosis

Abstract

Central nervous system tuberculosis (CNS-TB) comprises a variety of neurological syndromes with a relatively high mortality and morbidity caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The most common presentation of CNS-TB is meningitis, followed by tuberculoma, tuberculous brain abscess, and Pott's disease. Hydrocephalus is the most common complication of the disease, accompanied by infarct and ventriculitis. Most patients with CNS-TB will be treated with medical treatment alone, but a portion of the patients require surgical intervention, mainly for hydrocephalus. A combination of the bacteriologic and radiologic assays is usually needed for diagnosis. Early diagnosis is the most important predictor for prognosis. The mortality rate and severe neurological deficits increase during the stages of the disease.