MRI perfusion findings in patients with tuberculous meningitis
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2021
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a devastating infection in the world. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) perfusion cerebral changes in the patients with TBM before and after anti-tuberculous therapy, with normal appearing contralateral brain in the same patient, and with control subjects. Methods: MRI perfusion of brain (Dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced) was performed at diagnosis and repeated one month after treatment. The study was conducted on both TBM patients and age-matched control subjects. Perfusion parameters were obtained by placing the region of interest (ROI) at the cerebral infarcts, normal appearing contralateral brain and TBM without infarction group. Relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF), relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and mean transit time (MTT) were assessed. Perfusion parameters pre-treatment and post-treatment were compared. Results: Eighteen TBM patients and 6 age-matched control subjects were recruited. Acute cerebral infarctions were demonstrated in 10 (55.6%) patients. Comparison of pre-treatment MRI perfusion studies showed significantly reduced rCBF of the infarcted regions compared to the normal appearing contralateral brain (279.0 ml/100g/ min vs 615.2 ml/100g/min, p < 0.05), and age-matched control subjects (279.0 ml/100g/min vs 754.1 ml/100g/min, p < 0.05). There was significantly reduced rCBV of the infarcted regions compared to the normal appearing contralateral brain (45.0 ml/100g vs 96.8 ml/100g, p < 0.05), and age-matched control subjects (45.0 ml/100g vs 82.9m1/100g, p<0.05). There was significantly increased MTT of the infarcted regions compared to age-matched control subjects (9.8sec vs 6.7sec, p< 0.05). There was also significantly reduced rCBF of the normal appearing contralateral brain (615.2 ml/100g/min vs 754.1 ml/100g/min, p<0.05) and TBM patients without cerebral infarction (554.9 ml/100g/min vs 754.1 ml/100g/min, p<0.05) compared to age-matched control subjects. Increased MIT was significantly present in the normal appearing contralateral brain (9.6sec vs 6.7sec, p<0.05) and TBM patients without cerebral infarction (7.8sec vs 6.7sec, p<0.05) compared to age-matched control subjects. Comparison of pre and post-treatment MRI perfusion study showed significant increased rCBF (501.4ml/100g/min vs 279.0 ml/100g/min, p<0.05) and rCBV (104.0ml/100g vs 45.0 ml/100g, p<0.05) in the infarcted regions. -Significant increased in rCBV (104.2ml/100g vs 77.1 ml/100g, p<0.05) and MTT (9.0scc vs 7.8scc, p<0.05) were also demonstrated in TBM patients without cerebral infarction following treatment. Conclusion: Perfusion parameters of the infarcted regions were consistent with infarcted tissue. Perfusion parameters of the normal appearing contralateral brain of TBM showed ischaemic changes.
Keywords
Tuberculous meningitis, MRI perfusion, Infarct, Vasculitis, MRA
Divisions
fac_med
Funders
High Impact Research grant of University of Malaya [Grant No: UM.C/625/HIR/MOE/MED/08/07 UM.0000081/HIR.C1],UMRG Grant of University of Malaya [Grant No: RG39011HTM]
Publication Title
Neurology Asia
Volume
26
Issue
2
Publisher
ASEAN Neurological Association
Publisher Location
UNIV MALAYA MEDICAL CENTRE, NEUROLOGY LABORATORY, KUALA LUMPUR, 59100, MALAYSIA