| Objective To explore the clinical characteristics, laboratory tests and imaging features of central nervous system brucellosis, and provide reference for clinical physicians. Methods Data of 7 cases with central nervous system brucellosis who were admitted to Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from October 2015 to January 2019 were collected, their laboratory test results and imaging data were analyzed. Results All cases had a clear epidemiological history. Their clinical characteristics mainly included meningitis, acoustic nerve impairments and limb weakness. In laboratory tests, all cases were positive for Brucella in rose bengal plate agglutination test and showed elevated levels of cerebral proteins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Six cases had hypoglycemia in CSF, 6 cases had increasing levels of IgG in CSF, 5 cases had intracranial hypertension, and 5 cases had significantly increasing levels of leukocytes in CSF. MRI scanning revealed white matter demyelination in 5 cases, occupying inflammatory lesions in 2 cases, and acute stroke in 1 case. Conclusions A comprehensive and sophisticated analysis of epidemiological history, clinical manifestations, CSF tests, neuroimaging, serological and/or etiological test can be conductive to clinical diagnosis of central nervous system brucellosis. |