Observations on the bromide partition test in the diagnosis of non-purulent meningitis.

In its earliest stages when treatment will produce the most favourable results, tuberculous meningitis may be difficult to diagnose clinically, since other infective non-bacterial conditions of the central nervous system may present a similar clinical picture at their onset. Since the bromide partition test and its use in the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis were described (Taylor, Smith and Hunter, 1954) we have found it a useful aid to diagnosis in six cases of tuberculous meningitis and 20 cases of non-tuberculous meningitis (Fig. 1). Normally after oral or intravenous administration of sodium bromide, the ratio of serum bromide/ cerebrospinal fluid bromide is above I 65 (usual