Tuberculous Meningitis

Tuberculous Meningitis

The incidence of tuberculous meningitis in developing countries is fairly high. Infants and small children are most susceptible with a high mortality and morbidity rate.

Tuberculosis Of Superficial Lymph Nodes

• In developing countries of Asia and Africa cervical lymphadenitis is usually caused by M. tuberculosis while in western countries infection with atypical mycobacteria may be more often encountered.

• Generalized tuberculous lymphadenopathy is rare.
• The cervical inguinal or axillary nodes are usually involved.
• The enlargement is usually slowly progressive.
• Tuberculous gland are slightly tender, firm and adhere to one another. They may enlarge actuely and may be discrete and moveable. Cold abscess may form with breakdown of the overlying skin, resulting in a chronic discharging abscess.
• Tuberculous lymphadenitis generally responds satisfactorily to standard chemotherapy. However occasionally, softening of nodes and sinus formation occurs inspite of chemotherapy and requires surgical intervention.