Intramedullary tuberculoma of the conus medullaris: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Objective: To illustrate the dilemmas in the diagnosis and management of intramedullary tuberculomas of the spinal cord.

Methods: Case report of a 32 year-old man with tuberculous meningitis. The presence of unexplained urinary retention and progressive weakness in the legs led to the discovery of an additional tuberculoma of the conus medullaris.

Setting: Dicle University Diyarbakir, Turkey.

Results: The patient was on a 1-year course of isoniazid, pyrazinamide and rifampicin, and responded well to conservative treatment. Our patient's unique features were represented by the worsening of neurological symptoms while being treated with adequate anti-tuberculous medication.

Conclusion: We present a case of intramedullary tuberculoma of the conus medullaris to illustrate the dilemmas in the diagnosis and management of this curable disease, and review of the literature to date.