The patient was a 12-year-old boy, with history of sputum-positive pulmonary tuberculosis for which he was already on anti-tubercular treatment for 3 months. He presented to us with an episode of generalized seizure which had been preceded by isolated right sixth nerve palsy, episodes of seizures and gradual onset, progressive quadriparesis over the past 1 month. On examination, he had postictal confusion. Fundus examination revealed papilledema. He had a grade 3–4/5 spastic quadriparesis.\nA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed multi-lobar tuberculomas of the brain with lesions in the brainstem and cerebellum []. MRI of the spine revealed cervical (C2–3, C7–D1), dorsal (D7, D10, D11–12) and lumbar (D12–L1 including conus medullaris), multiple homogeneous enhancing oval lesions []. Only a few lesions showed characteristic ring enhancement. Mantoux was positive (15 mm induration at 48 h) and tuberculosis-interferon-γ-release-assays (Quantiferon Tuberculosis Gold In-Tube) test were positive. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 40 and serology for HIV was negative. The patient was continued anti-tubercular treatment and was supplemented with steroids for about a month. The boy showed gradual but definite clinical improvement by the time of discharge 7 days later. At 3 month follow-up, he was ambulant without support. Follow-up MRI of the brain and spine revealed reduction in the enhancement of the lesions with definite ring enhancing pattern now discernable [Figure –]. Complete resolution of lesions on the last follow-up at the 8th month of treatment was seen [Figure –] and clinically he was ambulant with improvement in his VIth nerve palsy. We decided to continue anti-tubercular treatment for 18 months and the end of which he was free from any neurological deficits and back to productive life.
A 5-year-old boy presented with fever for 12 days, progressive motor weakness in lower limbs for 9 days, and retention of urine and constipation for 6 days. The patient was treated elsewhere for fever for three days. However, on the fourth day of the illness, the child developed progressive symmetrical lower limb weakness causing difficulty in standing, sitting, and turning from side to side. Over the next three days, he developed retention of urine and constipation, hence was referred to our hospital for further management.\nThere was no history of headache, vomiting, altered sensorium, cranial nerve or sensory deficit, recent immunization, and head or spine trauma. The patient had no tuberculosis (TB) in the past nor TB contact.\nAt admission, his pulse rate was 88/min, respiratory rate was 32/min, and blood pressure was 90/60 mm of Hg. Bacillus Calmette Guerine vaccine scar was seen. Spine palpation revealed no tenderness or deformity. His weight (16kg) and height (106cm) both were between the 10th and 25th centiles for his age and sex. His higher mental functions, cranial nerves, and sensory examination were normal, and papilledema was absent. Tone, power, and reflexes of both upper limbs were normal. Both lower limbs had hypotonia, power grade 2/5, and exaggerated (3+) deep tendon reflexes. Abdominal and cremasteric reflexes were absent and plantar reflexes were extensor bilaterally. Meningeal signs were absent. The patient had mild firm hepatomegaly (2cm) and a palpable distended urinary bladder. Respiratory and cardiovascular system examination was normal.\nHis initial investigations showed iron deficiency anemia and elevated Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (25 mm at 1h), a negative Mantoux test, normal chest radiograph, and gastric aspirate negative for acid-fast bacilli. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was negative for human immunodeficiency virus infection. MRI of dorsal spine (P + C) showed a well-defined oval T2 hypointense ring-enhancing lesion (4.5 × 2.5 mm) in the thoracic cord at D4-D5 level, with mild perilesional edema from D3 to D5 level suggestive of IMT []. MRI of brain revealed few tiny T2/fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) hyperintense enhancing foci in left frontal white matter and subependymal region of the left ventricle. Minimal focal subcortical white matter edema was observed in right frontal lobe suggestive of tuberculoma [].\nThe patient was started on ATT regime containing two months of Isoniazid (H), Rifampicin (R), pyrazinamide (Z) and Ethambutol (E) followed by 7 months of Isoniazid (H), Rifampicin (R) and Ethambutol (E) therapy (2HRZE +7HRE) with steroids for four weeks. Parenteral dexamethasone was given for two days followed by oral prednisolone for a total of four weeks. He showed clinical improvement in three days and had complete clinical recovery by nine days. Meanwhile, family screening for TB detected sputum positive for pulmonary TB in father. His father was enrolled and started on standard ATT, the younger sibling was started on isoniazid prophylaxis as per Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program guidelines. On follow-up, the patient was found to be compliant with ATT and clinically well without adverse effects.