Table 2.
Overview of scoring criteria in children with “definite,” “probable,” and “no” TBM.
| Definite TBM n/N (%) | Probable TBM n/N (%) | No TBM n/N (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total number | 3 | 20 | 24 |
| Symptom duration > 5 days | 1/3 (33) | 13/20 (65) | 7/24 (29) |
| ≥1 week of: weight loss/poor weight gain, night sweats or persistent cough >2 weeks | 1/3 (33) | 9/20 (45) | 3/24 (13) |
| History of recent TB contact or positive TST or IGRA | 0/3 (0) | 9/20 (45) | 5/24 (21) |
| Focal neurological deficit | 1/3 (33) | 8/20 (40) | 4/24 (17) |
| Cranial nerve palsy | 1/3 (33) | 8/20 (40) | 0/24 (0) |
| Altered consciousness | 1/3 (33) | 8/20 (40) | 4/24 (17) |
| CSF clear | 3/3 (100) | 20/20 (100) | 20/24 (83) |
| CSF cells: 10–500 per μl | 3/3 (100) | 15/20 (75) | 1/24 (4) |
| CSF lymphocyte predominance (>50%) | 3/3 (100) | 14/20 (70) | 8/24 (33) |
| CSF protein concentration >1 g/L | 3/3 (100) | 13/20 (65) | 3/24 (13) |
| CSF:serum glucose ratio <50% and/or CSF glucose concentration <2.2 mmol/L | 2/3 (67) | 9/20 (45) | 3/24 (13) |
| Hydrocephalus (CT and/or MRI) | 2/3 (67) | 16/20 (80) | 1/24 (4) |
| Basal meningeal enhancement (CT and/or MRI) | 1/3 (33) | 16/20 (80)) | 0/24 (0) |
| Tuberculoma (CT and/or MRI) | 0/3 (0) | 4/20 (20) | 0/24 (0) |
| Infarct (CT and/or MRI) | 2/3 (67) | 8/20 (40) | 3/24 (13) |
| Pre-contrast basal hyperdensity (CT) | 1/3 (33) | 6/20 (30) | 0/24 (0) |
| CXR suggestive of active TB | 2/3 (67) | 8/20 (40) | 7/24 (29) |
| CXR suggestive miliary TB | 0/3 (0) | 5/20 (25) | 2/24 (8) |
| Extraneural radiological TB | 0/3 (0) | 0/20 (0) | 0/24 (0) |
| Extraneural M. tuberculosis confirmation | 1/3 (33) | 6/20 (30) | 4/24 (17) |
TBM, tuberculous meningitis; BM = bacterial meningitis; TB, tuberculosis; TST, tuberculin skin test; IGRA, interferon gamma-release assay; CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; gluc, glucose; CT, computed tomography; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; CXR, chest radiograph. Unless otherwise stated, n = 47.