Shahzad Shams, Mina Ayesha, Tariq Sallahuddin, Sohail Majeed.
Tuberculous meningitis; role of up shunting.
Professional Med J Jan ;8(4):526-9.

Tuberculosis meningitis is a major health problem and in Pakistan is associated commonly with hydrocephalus, which is treated-by ventriculo-peritoneal shunting. Many factors are associated with outcome of these patients. DESIGN: Retrospective study. PERIOD: From Jan 1998 to Jan 2000. SETTING: Pediatric department of Allied Hospital Faisalabad. MATERIAL & METHODS: Sixty-two patients who were diagnosed as cases of TEM and their CT scan revealed hydrocephalus. All were subjected to ventriculo-peritoneal shunting procedure. Different factors related to outcome at 3 months were studied. RESULTS: Different variables were studied but the stage of the disease was the most important factor effecting the outcome. Outcome in stage II patients was good 33.3%, Moderate disability 41.6%. In stage III, Good 9.7%, moderate disability 29.2%. In stage IV, Good 0%, moderate disability 11.1%. The results showed that the most important factor affecting the outcome was the stage of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: An early diagnosis of hydrocephalus in early stage of the disease and referral for ventriculo-peritoneal shunt is desired to improve the prognosis.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com