Tuberculous meningitis mimicking acute polyradiculonevritis

Abstract

Romania has the highest prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) among all the Central European countries. Involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) by the TB accounts for approximately 1% of all cases of tuberculosis. CNS TB includes two clinical categories: intracranial and spinal. We report two cases of tuberculosis meningitis with hemorrhagic CSF. Diagnosis was based on clinical signs, complementary investigations and response to early treatment with antituberculosis medication with adjunct of steroid therapy. Some mild neurological sequels persisted.

Keywords

• tetraparesis
• multiple cranial nerves palsy
• bilateral abducens nerve palsy
• bilateral peripheral facial palsy
• horizontal diplopia
• dysfagia
• dysphonia
• confusion
• tuberculous meningitis
• radiculomyelitis
• immunocompetent