Loss of Consciousness and Cardiac Arrest as an atypical Presentation of Tubercular Meningitis: A Case Report

Written By : Jacinthlyn Sylvia |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2023-02-02T20:00:45+05:30 | Updated On 11 Oct 2023 3:41 PM IST

A case report compiled by Saroj Yadav and team suggests the diverse presentations of tubercular meningitis and the importance of early diagnosis and therapy to prevent further complications in . The findings were published in the Journal of the Nepal Medical Association.

Tubercular meningitis is a serious form of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis and without treatment can be fatal. A case study of a 39-year-old male who presented with unconsciousness and cardiac arrest serves to highlight the variety of presentations of this disease. In spite of a nonconclusive magnetic resonance imaging brain and initial electroencephalogram results, the patient admitted was diagnosed with tubercular meningitis after repeat lumbar punctures revealed increased adenosine deaminase and lymphocytic-predominant pleocytosis. Treatment was initiated with anti-tubercular therapy and the addition of dexamethasone helped to improve the condition of the patient, as repeat electroencephalogram results no longer showed any seizure-like activity.

This case highlights the importance of being aware of the various presentations of tubercular meningitis, as delay in treatment can lead to irreversible neurological damage or death. While the patient in this case report had a history of alcohol consumption and a major depressive disorder, it is important to note that these factors may not always be present in patients with tubercular meningitis. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment is the key to improve the outcomes of patients with this condition.

Based on the findings of this study, the Authors concluded that, it is vital for healthcare professionals to be aware of the diverse presentations of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis and tubercular meningitis, also to prioritize early diagnosis and treatment in order to prevent further complications and improve patient outcomes.

Source:

Yadav, S., Acharya, S., Thapa, A., Hirday, A., & Dahal, A. (2022). Loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest as an atypical presentation of tubercular meningitis: A case report. JNMA; Journal of the Nepal Medical Association, 60(251), 654–656. https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.7588

tubercular meningitispleocytosisJournal of the Nepal Medical Association

Source : Journal of the Nepal Medical Association

Jacinthlyn Sylvia

Neuroscience Masters graduate

Jacinthlyn Sylvia, a Neuroscience Master's graduate from Chennai has worked extensively in deciphering the neurobiology of cognition and motor control in aging. She also has spread-out exposure to Neurosurgery from her Bachelor’s. She is currently involved in active Neuro-Oncology research. She is an upcoming neuroscientist with a fiery passion for writing. Her news cover at Medical Dialogues feature recent discoveries and updates from the healthcare and biomedical research fields. She can be reached at editorial@medicaldialogues.in

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751