Intradural extramedullary tuberculoma of the spinal cord mimicking meningioma

Abstract

Intradural extramedullary tuberculoma of the spinal cord is an extremely rare central nervous system tuberculosis manifestation. It is even rarer in patients who have no history of primary tuberculosis. A total of five cases, including the present case of intradural extramedullary tuberculoma without a history of primary tuberculosis, have been reported in the literature. We report a case of a male patient in his 20s who came with progressive weakness in his lower limbs, urinary incontinence and MRI features suggestive of meningioma. The patient underwent a D9–11 laminectomy with total debulking of the tumour. The histopathological examination revealed Langhans-type giant cells, confirming the diagnosis of a tuberculoma. The patient was advised an antitubercular therapy for 18 months. On a follow-up after 1 month, the patient could walk without support and had no urinary incontinence, indicating the importance of prompt surgical resection and adequate antitubercular therapy for a better outcome.