CNS TUBERCULOSIS

Course overview

TUBERCULOSIS (TB) IS A PREVALENT WORLDWIDE INFECTION. ONE OF THE CATASTROPHIC MANIFESTATIONS OF EXTRAPULMONARY TB (EPTB) IS THE AFFECTION OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS). THIS MAY TAKE THE FORM OF EITHER TUBERCULAR MENINGITIS (TBM), TUBERCULOMA, OR SPINAL ARACHNOIDITIS. TBM DEVELOPS EITHER DUE TO RUPTURE OF SUBEPENDYMAL OR MENINGEAL TUBERCULAR FOCI OR THROUGH THE HEMATOGENOUS ROUTE. CNS TUBERCULOSIS (CNS-TB) CARRIES HIGH MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY AMONG ALL FORMS OF TB. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT OF CNS-TB AND HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM MEMBERS IN COORDINATING WELL TO ENHANCE OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH CNS TUBERCULOSIS.