Central Nervous System Tuberculosis

Although the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) has decreased in the United States, this infection is a formidable force worldwide. TB can have an insidious presentation, affecting multiple organ systems, including the central nervous system (CNS). Although this may be a rare complication of TB, it can be a devastating omission for the patient. Therefore, it is imperative for health care providers to keep CNS TB in the differential when evaluating neurologic issues. The goal of this article is to enlighten the midlevel provider about the possible presentations of CNS TB, review diagnostic and laboratory studies, and explain treatment options.