Scrofula Presenting as Tubercular Meningitis: A Neglected Sequelae

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a multiorgan disease that can affect any part of the body. Though it is thought to be affecting mainly the pulmonary system, genitourinary TB is a rare but important manifestation of TB. It has been reported in <0.5% of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB). Amongst instances of genitourinary TB, glandular TB is even scarcer. Maximum patients seek medical intervention later in the progression of ailment due to the attached stigma linked with tuberculosis and in view of affected site and part of the body and the reluctance on the patient’s side. In the present case report, a 58-year-old male presented to Department of Medicine, with the complaint of a non healing wound on the scrotal region with excoriation since one month and irritability with altered sensorium since a week. Ultimately, it turned out to be a case of tubercular meningitis resulting from a neglected scrofula with neck rigidity, Kernig’s and Brudzinski’s sign positive. Though many case reports involving tubercular meningitis have been reported, a neglected scrofula remains a rare manifestation of tubercular meningitis.

Keywords

• complication
• extrapulmonary tuberculosis
• scrotal ulcer