Central nervous system tuberculosis

Abstract

Involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, particularly meningitis, is the most severe form of tuberculous infection. Parenchymal CNS involvement can occur in the form of tuberculoma or, more rarely, abscess. Although surgery was initially advocated as the mainstay of therapy, more recent evidence suggests that parenchymal forms of CNS tuberculosis can be cured with medical treatment alone. Also, damage of the spinal cord, roots, and spine can occur in the form of spinal meningitis, radiculomyelitis, spondylitis, or spinal cord infarction.