Computed Tomography of the Head Before Lumbar Puncture in Adults With Suspected Meningitis in High-HIV Prevalence Settings.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The role of computed tomography (CT) before lumbar puncture (LP) is unclear, with limited evidence for a causal link between LP and cerebral herniation or for the ability of CT to identify individuals at risk of herniation. The risks of LP delay or deferral are potentially greater in high-HIV prevalence, resource-limited settings; we analyzed data from such a setting to determine the impact of CT on time to LP and treatment, as well as mortality.

Methods

Adults with suspected central nervous system (CNS) infection were enrolled prospectively into the Botswana National Meningitis Survey between 2016 and 2019. Inpatient mortality and clinical data including time of treatment initiation and CT were captured from medical records. Associations between preceding CT and

SUBMITTER: Milburn J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11493084 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature