Evaluation of corticosteroids in treatment of tuberculous meningitis

Abstract

98 patients with tuberculous meningitis were studied with a view to assessing the value of steroids as an adjuvant to antitubercular drugs. The patients were divided into three groups irrespective of the clinical stage of the disease. One group received antitubercular drugs alone, the second oral prednisolone, and the third intrathecal steroids, in addition to the antitubercular drugs. There was no significant difference in the mortality rate in the different groups. Oral steroid treatment lowered the CSF protein more rapidly, but did not influence the outcome nor prevent the formation of spinal block.