Limbic encephalitis associated with tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis

Limbic encephalitis represents an autoimmune disorder that is commonly associated with malignancies. It is also seen in association with infectious or systemic autoimmune diseases. The literature reports two case reports of limbic encephalitis associated with tuberculosis.

We report the case of a 42 year-old male referred to our clinic for a non-resolving pneumonia. He was found to have a limbic encephalitis associated with mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis. The diagnosis was made on a needle aspirate from a mediastinal lymph node obtained through endobronchial ultrasound. A paradoxical radiological progression was noted during therapy. He was successfully treated by anti-tuberculous drugs with clinical and radiological improvement.

Limbic encephalitis is associated with tuberculosis and should be included as part of the central nervous system involvement with tuberculosis. Endobronchial ultrasound has been shown to be useful in the diagnosis of mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis.