Findings of Brain CT Scan in Patients Hospitalized with Meningitis in Tabriz Children's Hospital and Its Association with Prognosis

Abstract

Background. Children's meningitis is associated with many complications and deaths. Therefore, it is critical to develop reliable and available methods to predict these complications, diagnose them in a timely manner, and prevent the progression of complications. This study aimed to investigate the findings of computed tomography (CT) scan in patients with meningitis and evaluate its association with prognosis. Methods. In this cross-sectional analytical study, we investigated the clinical files of 100 patients with meningitis (preferably bacterial meningitis) in Tabriz Children's Hospital, Iran between 2013-2017. The results of CT scan and disease complications were recorded and analyzed by statistical software. Results. Common symptoms identified in the patients included fever (88%), nausea and vomiting (36%), headache (27%), and convulsions (25%). Also, the results of CT scan included cerebral effusion (16%), hydrocephalus (7%), diffuse cerebral edema (7%), and cerebral atrophy (4%). Statistical analysis indicated a statistically significant association between the complications of meningitis (learning disorder, epilepsy, and hearing disorder) and the results of CT scan (cerebral effusion, diffuse cerebral edema, and hydrocephalus). Conclusion. CT scan can be used as an early diagnostic and prognostic method in children with meningitis. Practical Implications. Meningitis is associated with many complications and deaths, and the lack of diagnostic methods and accurate prognosis is one of the important challenges in this field. Therefore, identifying and introducing accurate and cheap methods for predicting these complications and taking early measures to prevent the development of complications and treatment can be beneficial. The results of the present study showed that CT scan can be used as an early diagnostic and prognostic method in children with meningitis.