Tests that can be performed for tuberculous meningitis include chest x-ray or CT, cerebrospinal fluid tests, culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and cranial imaging.
1. Chest x-ray or CT: Tuberculous meningitis is mostly caused by the spread of tuberculosis, and about half of the patients can find evidence of tuberculosis infection in chest radiographs or chest CT.
2. Cerebrospinal fluid test: after obtaining cerebrospinal fluid by lumbar puncture and conducting corresponding laboratory tests, cerebrospinal fluid of patients with tuberculous meningitis usually has significantly higher lymphocytes, higher protein content, and lower glucose and chloride content.
3. Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture: Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture in cerebrospinal fluid is the gold standard for diagnosing tuberculous meningitis, but it takes longer time and the sensitivity needs to be improved.
4. Craniocerebral imaging: Craniocerebral CT or MRI can find characteristic lesions such as corn-like lesions in the brain, cerebral edema and hydrocephalus.
If tuberculous meningitis is suspected, patients are advised to go to the hospital as soon as possible, and then follow the doctor’s instructions to carry out targeted treatment after the diagnosis is clarified in a timely manner.