SYRINGOMYELIA DEVELOPING AS AN ACUTE COMPLICATION OF TUBERCULOUS MENINGITIS

Background: Tuberculosis of the nervous system has protean manifestati ons. Syringomyelia, though an uncommon complication of it, is usually of late onset. Methods: We report two patients with tuberculosis menin gitis who developed syringomyelia acutely. The diagnosis was supported by neuroimaging and findings at laminectomy. Results: The two patient s developed syringomyelia between 11 days and 6 weeks of the onset of tuberculous meningitis, They both had cord swelling and softening, Con clusions: Acute-onset syringomyelia should be suspected in any patient being treated for tuberculosis meningitis who subsequently develops l imb weakness and/or sphincteric dysfunction. Inflammatory edema and co rd ischemia appeared to be the underlying mechanisms in these early on set cases rather than arachnoiditis which is important in late-onset c ases.