Central Nervous System Tuberculosis Presenting As a Case of Myelitis: A Rare Complication

Abstract

Background: Transverse myelitis is an inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord manifested by acute or subacute onset of paraparesis, sensory deficit and autonomic dysfunction. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a very rare cause of transverse myelitis. Diagnosis is made through clinical examination, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of spinal cord and bacteriological confirmation of infection. We report a case of tuberculoma presenting as transverse myelitis. Case description: A 21 years old female presented with hypotonia of lower limbs, urine retention, no abdominal reflex and no deep tendon reflex in knee and ankle. Brain and spine MRI suggested multi tuberculomas and incomplete myelitis. The patient was recovered after treatment with antitubercular drugs and corticosteroids. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of considering tuberculosis infection when managing cases with longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis.

Keywords

• tuberculous myelitis
• transverse myelitis
• central nervous system
• tuberculosis