Intracranial menifestations of tuberculosis: an imaging study

ABSTRACT

In this paper we report various intracranial manifestations of tuberculosis in 48 patients who presented at our hospitals. The object of this study was to see different patterns of intracranial tuberculosis seen on cross sectional imaging in the city of Lahore and its suburbs. In a total of 48 patients, 21 had meningitis, 16 patients were found to have tuberculomas which also included 6 who had accompanying meningitis. Vasculitis resulting in lacunar infarcts was seen in 3 patients. Hydrocephalus was seen in 5 patients and choroid plexus tuberculosis [choroid plexitis] was seen in 3. Intracranial tuberculosis, therefore can have many presentations such as meningitis, tuberculomas or rare varieties such as abscess, cerebritis or choroid plexus involvement. It can also lead to devastating complications such as hydrocephalus and infarcts