A Case of Disseminated Tuberculosis with Miliary Central Nervous System Tuberculoma

Abstract

Disseminated tuberculosis occurs through lymphohematogenous dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli. The exact incidence of disseminated tuberculosis is still unknown and its diagnosis presents a challenge since the symptoms are not specific of the disease. Brain tuberculoma is one of the complications of tuberculosis. The literary review of brain tuberculoma shows that it mainly occurs in the cerebrum and cerebellum, whereas involvement of the brainstem is rare. Recently, we have experienced a case of 46-year-old man with fever of 2 months duration who was diagnosed with disseminated tuberculosis with miliary central nervous system (CNS) tuberculomas; brain tuberculomas were found even in the brainstem and the spinal cord. Pulmonary, intestinal, renal, and choroidal involvements were also noted.