Addressing the pressing challenges posed by Central Nervous System (CNS) Tuberculosis, a coalition of medical experts from various disciplines convened in New Delhi on April 27, 2024. The event, titled "CNS Tuberculosis: Challenges and Solutions," brought together seasoned doctors and dignitaries from across India to deliberate on potential strategies.

Tuberculosis remains a significant public health concern in India, claiming approximately 220,000 lives annually. With the ambitious goal of eliminating tuberculosis from the country by 2025 under the National TB Elimination Program, experts are grappling with the complex issue of CNS tuberculosis, which manifests devastating clinical symptoms in 5 to 10% of extrapulmonary TB cases and accounts for around 1% of all TB cases.

Central to the discussions was the unique management challenges posed by CNS TB, characterized by late diagnosis due to atypical symptoms and complicated treatment pathways. Experts emphasized the urgent need for innovative approaches to improve diagnosis and streamline treatment protocols.

During the conference, experts unveiled a novel clinical scoring system designed to facilitate early identification of TB patients, leveraging predictive algorithms and artificial intelligence. Similarly, a new radiological grading system aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy and streamline follow-up procedures.

A significant breakthrough highlighted during the event was the introduction of a new indigenous surgery technique, which has garnered international recognition for its efficacy in improving patient outcomes.

The announcement of a Research Grant for brain shunt management marked a pivotal moment in the event, with experts discussing innovative methods for measuring brain oxygenation to predict treatment outcomes. The ongoing research, spearheaded by Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, holds promise for revolutionizing brain shunt management practices.

The event featured presentations by distinguished speakers from esteemed institutions across the country, including Dr. Jyoti Jaju (Project Director, IDEFET TB Project), Dr. Dhruva Chaudhry (PGIMS Rohtak), Dr. Gunjan Soni (SP Medical College, Bikaner), and Dr. Rajesh Acharya (Sir Ganga Ram Hospital-SGRH), among others.

Dr. Samir Kalra, a Senior Consultant and professor of Neurosurgery at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, emphasized the importance of innovative approaches in brain shunt management, citing significant reductions in complication rates achieved through laparoscopic techniques.

The event concluded with a comprehensive panel discussion, addressing key challenges in brain TB shunt management and outlining actionable solutions to enhance patient care and outcomes.