Duration of anti-tuberculous therapy in children with persistent tuberculomas

Abstract

The usual treatment duration of tuberculomas recommended is 1 year. While anti-tuberculous therapy is of absolute necessity for the treatment of central nervous system tuberculosis, no clear guidelines exist regarding the duration of therapy in case of persistent tuberculomas. We present a series of six cases of children with central nervous system tuberculosis who received anti-tuberculous therapy for a period varying between 23 and 32 months depending on the resolution of lesion seen in neuroradiological scans of the patients. Decrease in number and size of granuloma were noted in all patients while one patient showed complete resolution. After stopping anti-tuberculous therapy, the size of the granuloma remained the same, while in one patient an increase was noted. Thus, the duration of anti-tuberculous therapy in patients with tuberculoma may vary and may be required for longer time based on treatment response.