RESUMEN

Objective To review the clinical and laboratory features of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Methods The clinical and laboratory data from 246 cases of TBM in Tuberculosis Treatment Center of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Zhejiang Province from January 1,1999 to December 31,2005 were collected and analyzed with SPSS 15.0 software. Results In 246 TBM patients,203(82.5%)was of basilar meningitis, 170(69. 1%)complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis. Fever,nausea, vomiting and headache were common symptoms in TBM patients. PPD skin tests were positive in 155(63.0%)patients, but only 12(4.9%)were acid-fast bacillus smear-positive in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF test showed that the white blood cells[(320 - 880)× 106/L], protein(0. 95 - 13.8 g/L)were increased, while glucose(1.53 - 3.2 mmol/L)and chloride content(90 - 111 mmol/L)were decreased. Adenosine deaminase ≥8 U/L was observed in 230(93.5%)patients, and 185(75.2%)patients were tuberculosis antibody positive. Eighty-one(32. 9%)patients showed nodular or annular shadows in cranial CT. After comprehensive therapy, 242(98.4%)patients recovered or improved and no sequela was observed, while 4(1.6%)patients died. Conclusion Early diagnosis of TBM should be based on clinical manifestations, changes of cerebrospinal fluid, imaging examination and PPD test.