TB Research

A Rare Presentation of Central Nervous System Tuberculomas in an Immunocompetent Patient.

Bryce Kalei Chang, Jacqueline Adlawan, Samuel Fesenmeier, David Kaminskas, Enrique Carrazana, Kore Liow

PubMed · 2022-06

Abstract

The uncommon presentation of simultaneous brain and lung lesions in an immunocompetent adult patient with frequent travel to a mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) endemic area requires high clinical suspicion for central nervous system (CNS) MTB, as this disease often results in severe neurologic morbidity and mortality. Non-specific and subacute symptoms make the diagnosis of CNS MTB clinically challenging, and a workup with imaging and microbiological studies such as acid-fast bacilli staining, nucleic acid amplification testing, and tissue culture must not delay prompt treatment with anti-tuberculosis therapy. This case illustrates the complex challenges of medical diagnosis and multi-disciplinary decision-making involved in the workup of CNS MTB.

MeSH terms

  • Medicine
  • Tuberculosis
  • Presentation (obstetrics)
  • Central nervous system
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Acid-fast
  • Tuberculoma
  • Pathology
  • Disease
  • Intensive care medicine