IMAGING SPECTRUM OF CNS TUBERCULOSIS

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, accounts for eight million deaths per year worldwide. Tuberculosis involvement of central nervous system (CNS) is an important and serious type of extra-pulmonary involvement. AIMS &OBJECTIVES:  To assess the various features of CNS Tuberculosis with imaging modalities like CT and MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS:   A prospective study of 35 patients is done in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Government General Hospital, Kurnool medical college. Patients from all the age groups including both men and women with   clinically diagnosed Tuberculosis are included. The diagnosis of TB was based on established clinical, AFB sputum positive and previously diagnosed pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB. Patients are evaluated with the help of CT and MRI. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients were imaged of which ring enhancement is noted in 30 patients, meningeal involvement seen in 15, infarcts are seen in 5, lesions are single in 10 and multiple in 25 patients, calcifications are seen in 5 patients. CONCLUSION: CNS Tuberculosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with tuberculosis. MR imaging plays a ke role in diagnosis because of its inherent sensitivity and specificity in detecting CNS lesions earlier. We conclude that imaging techniques helps in improved detection and characterisation of CNS tuberculosis and may help in better management of these patients.