Brainstem tuberculoma presenting as eight-and-a-half syndrome

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Central nervous system tuberculosis (CNS TB) is a severe infection.
• Pontine tuberculomas are rare manifestations of CNS TB.
• Eight-and-a-half syndrome is a rare neurological condition.

Observation:

• A case of a young, immunocompetent child presenting with eight-and-a-half syndrome is described.
• The syndrome was a complication of an undiagnosed pontine tuberculoma.
• Clinical examination precisely localized the brainstem lesion.

Findings:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast T1-weighted sequences were crucial for diagnosis.
• The findings confirmed pontine tuberculoma as the cause of the neurological deficits.
• This represents a previously undescribed complication in an immunocompetent child.

Implications:

• This case expands the known spectrum of CNS TB complications.
• Highlights the importance of considering infectious etiologies in pediatric neurological syndromes.
• Emphasizes the diagnostic value of advanced neuroimaging in identifying rare lesions.