Computed tomographic findings of early intracranial tuberculosis

CT findings of intracranial tuberculosis have been reported by many authors, but the alteration of the findings according to the pathologic stages was not accurately known. Therefore, we attempted to find out CT findings of early intracranial tuberculosis and alteration of these findings according to disease process in 46 patients who underwent CT scan by the 65th day from symptom-onset. Abnormalities on CT scan were shown in 17 patients(37%) out of total 46 patients. Abnormal findings consisted of ventricular enlargement(n=13), meningeal enhancement(n=11), parenchymal tuberculoma(n=8), and infarction(n=4). Ring sign appeared in all tuberculomas larger than 4 mm in diameter. Abnormal findings, particularly ventricular dilatation and meningeal enhancement, were more frequently observed in patients who underwent CT scan beyond 2 weeks from symptom-onset than within 2 weeks. In early intracranial tuberculosis, ventricular dilatation and meningeal enhancement become to appear more frequently as disease progresses