BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether the diagnosis of intracranial tuberculosis (TB) can be improved when multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) scans are taken with a 5-min delay after contrast media application.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pre- and post-contrast CT scans of the head were obtained from 30 patients using a 16-slice spiral CT. Dual-phase acquisition was performed immediately and 5 min after contrast agent injection. Diagnostic values of different images were compared using a scoring system applied by 2 experienced radiologists.

RESULTS: We found 526 lesions in 30 patients, including 22 meningeal thickenings, 235 meningeal tuberculomas/tubercles, and 269 parenchymal tuberculomas/tubercles. Images obtained with 5-min delayed scan time were superior in terms of lesion size and meningeal thickening outlining in all disease types (P<0.01). The ability to distinguish between vascular sections from the cerebral sulcus and tubercle was also improved (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: Image acquisition with 5-min delay after contrast agent injection should be performed as a standard scanning protocol to diagnose intracranial TB.

Keywords: Child, Adolescent, Contrast Media - diagnostic use, Meninges - radiography, Multidetector Computed Tomography - methods, Time Factors, Tuberculoma, Intracranial - radiography, young adult