Korean J Infect Dis.  2002 Apr;34(2):136-141.

A Case of Tuberculous Radiculomyelitis Complicating Tuberculous Meningitis in Pregnant Woman

• Shin BS
• Seo MW
• Kim YH

Abstract

Although tuberculous meningitis (TBM) rarely complicates pregnancy and seldom occurs in puerperal women, the prognosis for such patients has been surprisingly poor. The neurologic complications of TBM are tuberculoma, syringomyelia, epidural abscess of spinal cord, abscess of brain and internuclear opthalmoplegia. Most reports about TBM in pregnant women are describing prognosis and treatment, and have no concern with complication except hemiplegia. Tuberculous radiculomyelitis (TBRM) is a rare complication of tuberculosis in nervous system. TBRM is characterized by the subacute onset of paraparesis. Symptoms include root pain, paresthesias, bladder disturbance, and muscle wasting. MRI and CT scan are important for diagnosis. We described a 27-year-old pregnant woman, who developed TBM. Durng the treatment of TBM, she developed motor weakness of lower extremities, muscle atrophy, impairment of sensation, voiding disturbance and loss of tendon reflex. CSF evaluation showed an active inflammatory response with a high protein level. The MRI scan of spinal cord demonstrated TBRM. She showed clinical improvement with addictive steroid therapy.

Keyword

Tuberculous meningitis; Radiculomyelitis; Pregnancy

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Adult
Brain
Diagnosis
Epidural Abscess
Female
Hemiplegia
Humans
Lower Extremity
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Muscular Atrophy
Nervous System
Paraparesis
Paresthesia
Pregnancy
Pregnant Women*
Prognosis
Reflex, Stretch
Sensation
Spinal Cord
Syringomyelia
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Tuberculoma
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, Meningeal*
Urinary Bladder