J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2008 Jul;44(1):36-39. 10.3340/jkns.2008.44.1.36.

Multiple Tuberculoma Involving the Brain and Spinal Cord in a Patient with Miliary Pulmonary Tuberculosis

• Park HS
• Song YJ

• KMID: 2189479
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2008.44.1.36

Abstract

Although tuberculosis of the central nervous system is well known, the incidence of intramedullary tuberculomas is low and a combination of intramedullary with intracranial tuberculomas is extremely rare. We report a case of disseminated tuberculoma involving brain and spine with miliary pulmonary tuberculosis in a 66-year-old woman initially presenting with fever, general weakness, back pain and motor weakness of both lower extremities. Despite medical therapy, she developed progressive motor weakness of both lower extremities with muscle strength 1/5 in both lower extremities. Urgent surgical intervention was followed and her muscle power and motor functions were improved gradually. The anti-tuberculous drugs were continued and the follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain and spine showed that the lesions had become smaller or disappeared.

Keyword

Tuberculoma; Spine; Brain; Magnetic resonance imaging

MeSH Terms

Aged
Back Pain
Brain
Central Nervous System
Female
Fever
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Incidence
Lower Extremity
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Muscle Strength
Muscles
Spinal Cord
Spine
Tuberculoma
Tuberculoma, Intracranial
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary