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The predictors of poor outcome in tuberculous meningitis (TBM) remain to be delineated. We determined role of various clinical, radiological and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters in prediction of outcome in TBM.Current study was a prospective observational study including 209 patients of TBM. All patients underwent detailed evaluation including Gadolinium enhanced Magnetic resonance imaging (GdMRI) of brain as well as tests to detect evidence of tuberculosis elsewhere in body. They also underwent GdMRI at three and nine month follow up. All patients received treatment as per standard guidelines.Mean age was 30.4±13.8years. 139 (66.5%) patients had definite TBM while 70 (34.5%) had highly probable TBM. 53 (25.4%) patients died. On univariate analysis, longer duration of illness, altered sensorium, stage III TBM, hydrocephalus and exudates correlated with poor outcome. On multivariate analysis presence of hydrocephalus (p=0.003; OR=3.2; 95% CI=1.5-6.7) and stage III TBM (p0.0001; OR=8.7; 95% CI=3.7-20.2) correlated with higher risk of mortality. In addition, there was significant positive association between presence of hydrocephalus (p=0.05; OR=2.2; 95% CI=0.97-5.1), stage III TBM (p0.0001; OR=28; 95% CI=4.9-158) and presence of altered sensorium (p=0.05; OR=22; 95% CI=0.99-4.8) with either death or survival with severe disability.It is possible to prognosticate TBM using a combination of clinical and radiological. The duration of illness (65.9±92days) before diagnosis of TBM continues to be unacceptably long and this stresses on need to educate primary care physicians about TBM. Future studies where intensity and duration of treatment is guided by these cues may help in sorting out some of the most difficult questions in TBM, namely duration of antitubercular therapy as well as dose and duration of steroid therapy etc.

Purpose To review recurrent NAION as a cause for PFK syndrome. Methods In an observational study patients presenting with sudden loss of vision were evaluated. We reviewed patients presenting with disc edema on one side and optic atrophy in contralateral eye on fundus examination. Their visual field defects and fundus fluorescein angiography was assessed. Results Of the 7 patients evaluated 4 (57.1%) were females. Mean age at presentation was 53.7 ± 11.9 years. Mean duration between the two episodes was 12.7 months (range: 2–30). The visual acuity of presenting eye ranged from 6/9 to worse counting fingers close to face. Conclusions The diagnosis in a PFK presentation is essentially one of exclusion. Patients with NAION are at risk for recurrence in fellow eye, thereby presenting as PFK syndrome. NAION should be considered as a differential especially when imaging and other laboratory investigations are not suggestive of any compressive lesion.

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) are well established entities associated with onconeural antibodies. Paraneoplastic parkinsonism is a highly under narrated presentation of PNS. Rapid progression of typical or atypical parkinsonism with red flags like multiaxial involvement, complete gaze palsy and a clinico-radiological mismatch should prompt a clinician to suspect secondary etiologies like infection, metabolic, vascular, metastatic and paraneoplastic causes. We describe a patient with rapidly progressive parkinsonism. Diagnosis of Breast carcinoma associated ANNA-2/ Anti Ri mediated PSP like phenotype was made in this patient based upon clinical examination and investigations. We also present a review of literature on paraneoplastic parkinsonism in this manuscript.

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an uncommon genetic immunodeficiency disorder affecting neutrophil function, characterized by recurrent bacterial and fungal infections. X-linked carriers of CGD have an increased risk of autoimmune disorders, in particular lupus like disorders. We describe the case of a 37 years old female carrier of X-linked CGD, who presented with clinical features and serology consistent with a definite diagnosis of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with rare immune mediated neurological manifestations including secondary central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis and Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM), responsive to immunomodulation. These neurological manifestations have not been described previously in carriers of CGD. We recommend early diagnosis of these immune mechanisms, especially in X-linked carriers of CGD, and appropriate immunomodulation in order to improve life expectancy and improve neurological outcome.