Foster Kennedy syndrome caused by tuberculous brain abscess: A case report

A tuberculous brain abscess is an unusual form of central nervous system tuberculosis, whereas Foster Kennedy syndrome is a rare condition characterized by ipsilateral optic atrophy, contralateral papilloedema, and ipsilateral anosmia. Foster Kennedy Syndrome and tuberculous brain abscess both are rare conditions with limited study. We report the first case of Foster Kennedy syndrome associated with tuberculous brain abscess.

A 32 years old male presented with severe headache, memory impairment, speech difficulty, a slight right-side weakness, and vision impairment for eight weeks. The symptoms began with a low-grade fever, a dry cough, and a loss of appetite, which intensified over time. The patient was generally wasted and drowsy. Physical examination showed right-sided hemiparesis. An enhanced lesion in the left frontal lobe was seen on a plain computed tomography scan accompanied by perifocal edema. An open craniectomy was performed, and antituberculous therapy was begun immediately. The disability had significantly improved in a month.

In patients with Foster Kennedy syndrome, a tuberculous brain abscess should be considered. Patients who have been diagnosed must undergo surgical surgery as well as antituberculous therapy to recover fully.