Tuberculous meningitis in adults: a four-year review during 1997-2000.

We reviewed the charts of all HIV-negative patients 15 years of age or older in whom tuberculous meningitis was diagnosed and treated without corticosteroids at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand during the period of 1997-2000. Forty-five patients were included in this study. The clinical manifestations were subacute to chronic meningitis and they presented in stages 1 and 2, except one case which was in stage 3. All patients were treated with a 6-month course of chemotherapy with good clinical outcomes. The mortality rate was 2.2% and the percent of residual neurological deficits after treatment was 6.7%. The review showed the good clinical outcomes can be had without adjunctive corticosteroid.