Late Electroencephalographic Findings after Recovery from Tuberculous Meningitis

Eighty five children and young persons cured of tuberculous meningitis were reexamined by EEG 6—12 1/2 years after the onset of the disease.
Moderate or severe EEG changes were seen in 50 cases, i.e. 59 per cent. The most frequent abnormality found was general dysrhythmia (29 cases) combined with focal abnormalities in 9 cases. Focal abnormalities were seen in the records of altogether 14 former patients. Of these, 9 had convulsions. Repeated EEG examinations were made in 15 cases. Seven of these showed improvement and 1 progression of the disturbances. Abnormal EEGs were seen most frequently among the youngest patients (0—3 years), among patients with severe symptoms on admission and among patients treated with cortisone.
Correlation was also found between EEG changes and other sequelae: convulsions, neurological disorders, mental sub-normality, behaviour disturbances and intracranial calcifications. There were no correlations between EEG abnormalities and late ophthalmological and otological sequelae.