Tuberculous meningitis--clinical and epidemiological considerations (a retrospective study 2008-2011).

UNLABELLED Tuberculous meningitis represents one of the most severe forms of tuberculosis and is often a difficult diagnostic and therapeutic problem. The objective of this study is to analyze the cases of tuberculous meningitis in our region. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 76 observation sheets of patients aged 4 months to 84 years, diagnosed with tuberculous meningitis, admitted to Infectious Diseases Hospital Iaşi during 2008 to 2011. RESULTS Tuberculous meningitis has affected mostly males (65.7%). Only a small proportion of patients (23.68%) had tuberculosis in their personal history. 26.2% were diagnosed also with other localization of tuberculosis (mostly pulmonary). Fever was identified in only 43.4% of cases; 40% of patients had an altered conscience at admission. The outcome was favorable in all cases. CONCLUSIONS Tuberculous meningitis predominantly affects males, almost equally affects patients with other focuses of TB and those with a history of tuberculosis disease.