Clinical and radiological predictors of outcome in tubercular meningitis: A prospective study of 209 patients.

OBJECTIVES: The predictors of poor outcome in tuberculous meningitis (TBM) remain to be delineated. We determined role of various clinical, radiological and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters in prediction of outcome in TBM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Current study was a prospective observational study including 209 patients of TBM. All patients underwent detailed evaluation including Gadolinium enhanced Magnetic resonance imaging (GdMRI) of brain as well as tests to detect evidence of tuberculosis elsewhere in body. They also underwent GdMRI at three and nine month follow up. All patients received treatment as per standard guidelines. RESULTS: Mean age was 30.4±13.8years. 139 (66.5%) patients had definite TBM while 70 (34.5%) had highly probable TBM. 53 (25.4%) patients died. On univariate analysis, longer duration of illness, altered sensorium, stage III TBM, hydrocephalus and exudates correlated with poor outcome. On multivariate analysis presence of hydrocephalus (p=0.003; OR=3.2; 95% CI=1.5-6.7) and stage III TBM (p<0.0001; OR=8.7; 95% CI=3.7-20.2) correlated with higher risk of mortality. In addition, there was significant positive association between presence of hydrocephalus (p=0.05; OR=2.2; 95% CI=0.97-5.1), stage III TBM (p<0.0001; OR=28; 95% CI=4.9-158) and presence of altered sensorium (p=0.05; OR=22; 95% CI=0.99-4.8) with either death or survival with severe disability. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to prognosticate TBM using a combination of clinical and radiological. The duration of illness (65.9±92days) before diagnosis of TBM continues to be unacceptably long and this stresses on need to educate primary care physicians about TBM. Future studies where intensity and duration of treatment is guided by these cues may help in sorting out some of the most difficult questions in TBM, namely duration of antitubercular therapy as well as dose and duration of steroid therapy etc.

Cavernous sinus syndrome: A prospective study of 73 cases at a tertiary care centre in Northern India.

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical and etiological profile of patients with cavernous sinus syndrome (CSS) and identify factors which could determine the etiology and influence the outcome of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective observational study included 73 consecutive patients satisfying the criteria of CSS (i.e. involvement of any 2 of the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th cranial nerves or any one of them with radiological evidence of cavernous sinus involvement). All these patients were subjected to detailed haematological, biochemical and radiological investigations and diagnosed and treated as per guidelines. The clinical and investigational data was recorded and analysed meticulously. RESULTS: A definitive etiological diagnosis of CSS could be achieved in 86% of patients. Tumours, fungal infections and Tolosa Hunt syndrome (THS) were most common causes. On univariate analysis, diabetes, severe vision loss (visual acuity of <3/60 in at least one eye), and presence of nasal discharge showed a significantly positive association with a fungal CSS. Evidence of paranasal sinusitis, bone erosion and ICA (internal carotid artery) involvement on Gadolinium enhanced MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of brain were significantly associated with a fungal CSS (p=0.0001), whereas involvement of orbital apex had a negative association with a neoplastic etiology (p=0.014). On multiple logistic regression, orbital apex involvement on MRI was associated with diagnosis of THS (p=0.019, OR: 18.7; 95% CI: 1.6-217.4) while MRI evidence of paranasal sinusitis (p=0.014, OR: 45; 95% CI: 2.1-94.3) and bone erosion ((p=0.019, OR: 12.5; 95% CI: 1.5-103) correlated with diagnosis of fungal CSS. 65.2% of patients (fungal CSS- 70%) had a good prognosis at six months follow up. CONCLUSION: Most patients with CSS can be diagnosed accurately and managed properly with good outcomes.