Predictors of stroke in patients of tuberculous meningitis and its effect on the outcome.

Background: Stroke is a devastating complication of tuberculous meningitis and is an important determinant of its outcome.

Aim: To prospectively evaluate the predictive factors for stroke in patients with tuberculous meningitis and to assess the impact of stroke on the overall prognosis and outcome.

Methods: We evaluated and followed 100 patients of tuberculous meningitis for 6 months. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed at inclusion and after 6 months. We evaluated the predictors of stroke and also assessed the effect of stroke on the outcome. Outcome was defined with the help of modified Rankin scale.

Results: Of the 100 patients, 6 lost to follow-up. Thirty patients had stroke, 27 of them had stroke at inclusion. Three patients developed stroke during follow-up. In most of the patients, stroke was a manifestation of advanced stages of tuberculous meningitis. Internal capsule/basal ganglia were the most frequently involved sites. Infarcts commonly involved the middle cerebral arterial territory. On univariate analysis, predictors of stroke were aged >25 years (P < 0.001), cranial nerve involvement (P < 0.001), sylvian fissure exudates (P = 0.026), posterior fossa exudates (P = 0.016), optic chiasmal exudates (P = 0.04) and vision impairment (P = 0.004). Stage III tuberculous meningitis (P < 0.001) was also a predictor of stroke. On multivariate analysis aged >25 years was found a significant predictor of stroke. Strokes in patients with tuberculous meningitis were associated with poor prognosis.

Conclusion: Stroke occurred in 30% of cases with tuberculous meningitis. Advanced stage of tuberculous meningitis, basal exudates, optochiasmatic arachnoiditis and vision impairment were significant predictors of stroke. Stroke independently predicted the poor outcome of tuberculous meningitis.