A malignant disseminated tuberculosis: concurrent intracranial tuberculosis with skipped multilevel spondylitis in a young immunocompetent patient

Abstract

Background/aim. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) infection can cause pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB), resulted from hematogenous or lymphatic dissemination of the bacteria. Disseminated TB is characterized by the presence of two or more non-contiguous sites from the spread. Dissemination to the central nervous system (CNS TB) has several manifestations that can cause devastating neurological complications. Several predisposing factors include older age, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection, and pharmacological immunosuppression. As the manifestation of CNS TB itself is rare, diagnosing it remains a challenge. Prompt antituberculosis treatment is needed to improve patient’s outcome. This paper aims to present a rare case of malignant disseminated TB in a young immunocompetent patient. Case. This case presents an immunocompetent 17-year-old male with weakness in the four extremities. Through comprehensive history taking and examination, the patient was diagnosed with malignant disseminated TB, presenting as cerebellar tuberculoma, tuberculous meningitis, and multiple skipped level spondylitis TB; and concurrent pulmonary TB. Then, the patient underwent a surgery for the cervical lesion and was started on antituberculosis treatment in combination with corticosteroid. After the treatment, the patient’s motoric and sensoric functions improved and he was able to urinate and defecate normally. Conclusion. This case demonstrates the importance of considering disseminated TB in the differential diagnosis of a patient with neurological deficits, regardless of the fact that the patient is young and immunocompetent. Prompt diagnosis and rapid initiation of treatment can improve the patient’s outcome.