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The cerebrospinal fluid in the diagnosis of tuberculous meningoencephalitis: Review of the literature

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Abstract

We review the literature on the biochemical, cytological and immunological changes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in tuberculous meningoencephalitis, emphasizing th einconstancy and low specificity of the CSF findings described in classic accounts of this disease. We consider separately the possible causes of yellow or bloody fluid. The development of accurate techniques of analysis does not diminish the importance of the clinical findings and history in the early diagnosis of this disease.

Sommario

Gli Autori hanno eseguito una revisione della letteratura a proposito delle alterazioni biochimiche, citologiche ed immunologiche del liquor cefalorachidiano nella meningoencefalite tubercolare. Vengono sottolineate l'incostanza e la scarsa specificità dei reperti liquorali classicamente descritti in questa malattia. Uno studio separato riguarda le possibili cause di liquor xantocromico o ematico. Lo sviluppo di accurate tecniche di analisi non riduce l'importanza della valutazione clinico-anamnestica per la diagnosi precoce di tale malattia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Neurologiche e Psichiatriche, Università di Firenze Servizio di Neurofisiopatologia Policlinico di Careggi, Viale Morgagni 85, 50134, Firenze

    Macucci M.

  2. Divisione di Neurologia, Ospedale Del Ceppo, Pistoia

    Sità D.

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  1. Macucci M.
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Macucci, M., Sità, D. The cerebrospinal fluid in the diagnosis of tuberculous meningoencephalitis: Review of the literature. Ital J Neuro Sci 13, 487–491 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02230869

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02230869

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