Tuberculous meningitis with spinal tuberculous arachnoiditis.
This report is of a 36-year-old woman who initially presented with confusion and fever. Subsequent investigations showed tuberculous meningitis with acute hydrocephalus. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt was performed and anti-tuberculosis therapy was given. The patient was later noticed to have weakness of both lower limbs and urinary retention. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine showed radiological features of tuberculous arachnoiditis with cord compression. Decompressive laminectomy was performed and high-dose systemic corticosteroid was given. A high level of awareness is required when diagnosing tuberculous arachnoiditis and the importance of high-dose corticosteroid in the treatment regimen is emphasised.
Poon
T L
TL
Department of Neurosurgery, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, 3 Lok Man Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong.
Ho
W S
WS
Pang
K Y
KY
Wong
C K
CK
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001100:Arachnoiditis / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000209:etiology; D007796:Laminectomy; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology; D014390:Tuberculosis, Meningeal / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000995:Antitubercular Agents