Abstract
IntroductionIntra-medullary spinal tuberculoma is a rare form of tuberculosis, with an incidence of only two in 100,000 patients with tuberculosis. We present a case of intra-medullary tuberculoma from Pakistan, which was diagnosed by radiological findings and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid using polymerase chain reaction testing.Case presentationWe present the case of a 28-year-old Sindhi male with intra-medullary tuberculoma of the spinal cord at the C3 level. Our patient was treated solely with anti-tubercular drug therapy with no surgical intervention.ConclusionsWe discuss the possible clinical management of such rare cases, considering both chemotherapeutic and surgical options. Additionally, diagnostic procedures and findings are discussed; we suggest cerebrospinal fluid analysis via polymerase chain reaction and gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid magnetic resonance imaging as important chemical and radiological tests to be performed in such cases.
Highlights
Intra-medullary spinal tuberculoma is a rare form of tuberculosis, with an incidence of only two in 100,000 patients with tuberculosis
Diagnostic procedures and findings are discussed; we suggest cerebrospinal fluid analysis via polymerase chain reaction and gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid magnetic resonance imaging as important chemical and radiological tests to be performed in such cases
We present a case of intra-medullary tuberculoma from Pakistan, which was diagnosed by radiological findings and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing
Summary
Surgery resection followed by treatment with antitubercular drugs is the most practiced therapy for such cases. The patient reported on by Lin et al, with a lesion at a similar level as in our patient, underwent a laminectomy [9]; our patient was given (and cured by using) only anti-tubercular drug therapies. Authors’ contributions BS took our patient’s history, performed examinations and prescribed treatment for our patient; MAA helped with the writing of the discussion; SM helped with the drafting of the case report and writing of the introduction and case presentation; HY supervised, cross-checked the findings and critically reviewed the manuscript. Author details 1Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan. Author details 1Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan. 2Department of Neurology, Civil Hospital Karachi, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
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