Diagnostic Dilemma in Carpet-like Tuberculoma

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pathology

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health concern.
• Central nervous system (CNS) involvement, like intracranial tuberculoma, is uncommon.
• Intracranial tuberculomas can present with diverse neurological symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report an exceptionally rare case of intracranial tuberculoma.
• To describe the unique clinical presentation, imaging findings, and pathological confirmation.
• To emphasize the rarity of such a lesion in an elderly female with no prior TB history.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 67-year-old female patient.
• Neurological Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for lesion characterization.
• Surgical resection and histopathological examination for definitive diagnosis.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with progressive left leg mobility issues and speech difficulties.
• MRI revealed a distinctive dura-adherent lesion with a "carpet-like" morphology.
• Pathological examination confirmed the lesion as tuberculoma.

Conclusions:

• This case highlights an unusual dural attachment and carpet-like morphology of an intracranial tuberculoma.
• The occurrence in an elderly female with no prior TB history makes this an exceptionally rare clinical entity.
• Early diagnosis and appropriate anti-tubercular therapy are crucial for managing neurotuberculosis.