Identification of predictors of cerebrovascular infarcts in patients with tuberculous meningitis.

Background Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) remains common in developing countries. Cerebrovascular infarct (CI) in TBM occurs in 15%-57% of patients. Literature regarding the predictors of central nervous system (CNS) infarct in patients with TBM is scanty, and the outcome of these events is unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the predictors of CI among patients with TBM at a tertiary care center in South India and to compare the impact of CI on the prognosis and outcomes in terms of mortality and morbidity. Methods All patients who were confirmed to have TBM and CNS infarcts/stroke were included in this study retrospectively. Forty-six patients had appropriate imaging, and they were enrolled in the study as cases. Patients without infarct were matched with age and sex as controls. Details of the course of the disease, the extent of CNS involvement, and treatment were compared between the two arms. Results The mean age of patients with and without infarct was similar. The presence of basal meningeal inflammation, hydrocephalus, focal neurological deficit, and cranial nerve palsy, was higher in patients with infarct. Independent predictors of infarcts in a patient with TBM were Medical Research Council (MRC) staging of II or more, presence of focal neurological deficit, cranial nerve palsy, and presence of hydrocephalus, meningeal enhancement on neuroimaging. Presences of infarcts were independently associated with a higher odds ratio of 2.58 for poor outcome, 4.48 for a longer duration of hospital stay, and odds ratio of 8.85 for the requirement of multiple hospitalizations. Conclusion CI involvement in TBM has higher morbidity, with longer stay, recurrent admission.