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Case Reports
. 2020 Jan 2;13(1):e231524.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2019-231524.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and active tuberculosis

James Kerr Grieve  1 , Scott Day  2 , David Connell  3 , Jonathan O'Riordan  4
Affiliations
Case Reports

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and active tuberculosis

James Kerr Grieve et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Tuberculosis is on the rise again. It brings with it potential for neurological involvement both as a direct infection and as a parainfectious process. Accordingly we report the development of neurological problems affecting a 48-year-old patient's vision and sensation while being treated for active tuberculosis. At its nadir her vision deteriorated to nil perception of light and she had a sensory level to T10. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder was diagnosed. We discuss our management strategy with neuromodulation in the context of active tuberculosis infection.

Keywords: TB and other respiratory infections; infection (neurology); neuroopthalmology.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chest X-ray with arrow demonstrating left apical consolidation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Sagittal T2-weighted sequence of the spinal cord. There is a longitudinal lesion (within the area identified by the rectangle) extending over two sections at T3/4. There is an incidental prolapsed at C5/6.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Axial T2-weighted sequence at T4. The arrow points to the high signal change in the thoracic spinal cord. This affects the whole cord in keeping with a transverse myelitis.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Short tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequence demonstrating high signal change of the right optic nerve.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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