From the Literature: Arachnoiditis
Review the key findings from four recently published studies looking at Arachnoiditis.
//eAbstracts
Tuberculous Optochiasmatic Arachnoiditis
Journal: Neurology India (September-October 2010)
Authors: Anupriya A, Sunithi M, Maya T, et al
Purpose: To evaluate “the clinical features, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and laboratory parameters and imaging findings of optochiasmatic arachnoiditis (OCA)” and “identify any factors which can predict this complication in patients with TBM.”
Results: The team analyzed data from more than six years on 163 patients admitted with tuberculous meningitis to neurology wards of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Of the patients analyzed, 14% developed OCA. Also, 78% of these patients “developed this complication while on antituberculous treatment (ATT) and 5/23 (22%) were newly diagnosed cases of TB.” The authors concluded that “OCA can develop even while on treatment with ATT. Young women with a high CSF protein content seem to be more prone for this complication.”
MRI Manifestations and Differentiated Diagnosis of Postoperative Spinal Complications
Journal: Journal of Huazhong Univeristy of Science and Technology (August 2009)
Authors: Yang H, Wang R, Luo T, et al
Purpose: The study was designed to analyze “MR manifestations of postoperative spinal complications and investigate the value of MRI in the diagnosis and differentiated diagnosis.”
Results: The researchers retrospectively analyzed “114 cases of spinal postoperative complications,” and compared them with the clinical data. Among the spinal complications found were spinal stenosis, lack of spinal stability, infection — including spinal arachnoiditis, and more. They concluded that “MRI can specifically display all kinds of postoperative spinal complications, and is of significant value in the diagnosis and differentiated diagnosis of postoperative spinal complications.”
Tuberculosis with Meningitis, Myeloradiculitis, Arachnoiditis and Hydrocephalus: A Case Report
Journal: Acta Neurologica Taiwan (Septemebr 18, 2010)
Authors: Liao P, Chiang T, Lee M, Huang C
Purpose: “Involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) by tuberculosis is rare; it can affect either immunocompromised or immunocompetent people.” The researchers focused on a case report to examine the issue further.
Results: The team studied a “case of tuberculosis with CNS involvement.” The patient was “an immunocompetent young man who developed fever, subacute headache, disturbance of consciousness, paraparesis, sphincter dysfunction, and hypoesthesia.” He was diagnosed with tuberculous meningitis, myeloradiculitis, and arachnoiditis. Based on the results, the authors concluded that “Methods for detection of CNS TB and treatment protocols should be constantly re-evaluated to improve treatment outcome and reduce likelihood and severity of neurological sequelae.”
