Description
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the greatest threats to global
public health, with 9.2 million new cases in 20061 and has
become increasingly common in the UK. Central nervous
system (CNS) infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(MTB) is relatively rare but is associated with a serious
risk of neurological morbidity or death. Delays in diagnosis
worsen prognosis and even with anti-tuberculous therapy
up to 30% of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) patients
may die.2 TBM and tuberculomas can mimic other CNS
pathologies. Careful analysis of the clinical features, CSF
examination and pragmatic use of diagnostic tests can aid
the diagnosis. Prolonged anti-tuberculous treatment is
required and presumptive treatment should not be delayed
for microbiological confirmation of the disease.
