Hypothermia due to transient hypothalamic dysfunction in tuberculous meningitis with hydrocephalus

Abstract

We report two patients with tuberculous meningitis and hydrocephalus who developed hypothermia that reversed after inserting a ventricular shunt for the hydrocephalus. Pressure on the thermoregulatory centre in the posterior hypothalamus near the dilated third ventricle might have been responsible. One patient developed hypotension during the transient hypothermia, which persisted and proved fatal.

Key Words:

• Hydrocephalus
• hypothalamus
• intracranial pressure
• meningitis
• mycobacteria
• temperature
• thermoregulation
• third ventricle