Feasibility study of serial lumbar puncture and acetazolamide combination in the management of elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure in AIDS patients with cryptococcal meningitis in Uganda

Abstract

A feasibility study of serial lumbar puncture and acetazolamide combination in managing raised cerebrospinal fluid pressure was undertaken in 18 patients with AIDS and cryptococcal meningitis in Uganda. There were no adverse events related to the intervention and improvement in minimental status score, performance score, symptoms and a reduction in intracranial opening pressure were observed. This method is therefore feasible in AIDS-associated cryptococcal meningitis in a resource-poor setting given the observed safety and possible effectiveness, a larger study is warranted.