Garetier M, Roche N C, Longin C, Clapson P, Benois A, Rousset J
Hôpital d'instruction des armées Clermont-Tonnerre 29240 Brest, France.
Hôpital d'instruction des armées Bégin, 94160 Saint-Mandé, France.
Med Sante Trop. 2017 Aug 1;27(3):260-263. doi: 10.1684/mst.2017.0691.
Tuberculous meningitis, a serious disease with high mortality and morbidity, remains frequent in countries with endemic tuberculosis. Its non-specific presentation often delays the introduction of appropriate treatment. Its definitive diagnosis requires isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from cerebrospinal fluid, although this test may be negative without conclusively ruling out this diagnosis. A presumptive diagnosis should be reached as soon as possible through a body of clinical evidence, including the lumbar puncture findings. Brain computed tomography (CT) with and without contrast medium injection is helpful for the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis and its complications. We discuss the features of CT and their value in relation to a case of tuberculous meningitis in Djibouti, as well as the role of CT in managing this disease.
