Surgical Therapy of Tuberculosis of the Nervous System and Its Coverings

Chapter

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) of the central nervous system (CNS) can cause meningitis, epidural abscess, subdural empyema, brain abscess, and intraspinal abscess. Underlying predisposing conditions that lead to the development of TB of the CNS are often associated with some form of immunosuppression. The prognosis for these infections is often related to the extent of the disease and the neurological state of the patient at the time of diagnosis. Cranial and spinal involvement due to TB can be suspected on laboratory and imaging studies, but biopsy may be required to establish a definitive diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is established, prolonged treatment with anti-TB therapy is necessary to eradicate the cranial or spinal infection with inflammatory markers being followed to monitor the response to therapy. Failure to respond to medical management may lead to repeat drainage or resection of intracranial suppuration. Spinal TB is usually treated medically although surgery is indicated for confirmed instability, pronounced deformity, and neurological deficit.

Keywords

CNS tuberculosis Medical treatment Surgery 

Abbreviations

AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

CEPs

Cartilage end plates

CNS

Central nervous system

CRP

C-reactive protein

CSF

Cerebrospinal fluid

CT

Computed tomography

EA

Epidural abscess

EMB

Ethambutol

ESR

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

FLAIR

Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery

HASTE

Half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus

IICP

Increased intracranial pressure

ioMRI

Intraoperative MRI

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging

PCR

Polymerase chain reaction

PPD

Purified protein derivative

PZA

Pyrazinamide

RIF

Rifampin

SE

Subdural empyema

SM

Streptomycin

SWI

Susceptibility-weighted imaging

TB

Tuberculosis

TBA

Tuberculous brain abscess

TBM

Tuberculous meningitis

TST

Tuberculin skin test

WBC

White blood cell

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Copyright information

© Springer International Publishing AG 2017

Authors and Affiliations

  • Walter A. Hall
    • 1
  • Ahmet T. Turgut
    • 2
    • 3
  • Mehmet Turgut
    • 2
  1. 1.Department of NeurosurgerySUNY Upstate Medical UniversitySyracuseUSA
  2. 2.Department of NeurosurgeryAdnan Menderes University School of MedicineAydınTurkey
  3. 3.Department of RadiologyHacettepe University School of MedicineAnkaraTurkey

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