Cerebral Tuberculoma with Mild Posterior Cervical Pain as the Main Symptom Despite Extensive Brain Lesions

Intern Med. 2022 Oct 1;61(19):2941-2945. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.9020-21. Epub 2022 Mar 5.

Abstract

A 59-year-old woman with a diabetes history experienced mild neck pain. A neurological examination revealed only mild neck stiffness. Magnetic resonance imaging showed extensive T2-weighted high-intensity lesions with patchy gadolinium enhancement mainly involving the white matter in the right parietal lobe. A cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed increased protein levels and pleocytosis. While QuantiFERON-TB Gold was positive, computed tomography (CT) and fluorodeoxyglucose on positron emission tomography-CT of the whole body showed no abnormal accumulation, suggesting tuberculosis. A brain biopsy revealed cerebral tuberculoma. As cerebral tuberculoma can show minimal neurological symptoms despite extensive lesions, a cautious examination and early treatment are required to prevent a devastating prognosis.

Keywords: brain biopsy; cerebral tuberculoma; mild symptom.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain / pathology
  • Contrast Media
  • Female
  • Gadolinium
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck Pain / diagnostic imaging
  • Neck Pain / etiology
  • Nervous System Diseases*
  • Tuberculoma* / diagnosis
  • Tuberculoma* / pathology

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Gadolinium