Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in non human immunodeficiency viruses children on anti tubercular treatment

The term IRIS is almost solely used in human immunodeficiency virus seropositive patients who initiated anti-retroviral therapy (ART), the term paradoxical reaction is generally used to describe a clinical worsening of tuberculosis disease after the initiation of antituberculosis treatment. Distinguishing this paradoxical reaction (PR) from disease progression or treatment failure is an important issue in CNS tuberculosis management. Thus, one must keep a watch for neurological deterioration in a child with Central nervous system tuberculosis (CNS TB). We are presenting a case of a non-Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) child who developed TB-IRIS while on anti-tubercular drugs, who subsequently responded to steroids along with continuation of antitubercular treatment (ATT).

Tuberculosis cerebral sin meningitis en un niño inmunocompetente / Cerebral tuberculosis without meningitis in a immunocompetent child

Resumen La tuberculosis (TBC) cerebral o tuberculoma(s) sin meningitis es una enfermedad poco frecuente y de alta morbimortalidad. Presentamos el caso clínico de un lactante de 11 meses, previamente sano, que consultó por fiebre prolongada y síntomas neurológicos. La RM de encéfalo mostró múltiples imágenes micronodulares e hidrocefalia. El estudio de LCR para bacterias, hongos y micobacterias fue negativo. Se prescribió terapia empírica como una meningoencefalitis subaguda y tratamiento antituberculoso tetraconjugado y corticoesteroides. La confirmación del diagnóstico de TBC cerebral se realizó por biopsia de la lesión, con presencia de inflamación granulomatosa crónica necrosante y bacilos ácido-alcohol resistentes. Se enfatiza la importancia de considerar esta presentación de TBC en niños, y la necesidad de la búsqueda exhaustiva del agente etiológico en diferentes líquidos y tejidos, aun por métodos invasores.

Cerebral tuberculosis TB (tuberculomas) without meningitis is an uncommon disease with a high morbidity and mortality. We report on a case that illustrates the complexity of this clinical presentation. An 11 month old, previously healthy male infant was brought to the clinic due to fever present during the last 1.5 months, associated with loss of neurodevelopmental goals and signs of endocranial hypertension. CT scan of the skull revealed dilatation of the ventricular system with transependimary edema; MRI showed multiple intra- and extra-axial micronodular images and hydrocephalus. Studies of CSF (cyto-chemical analysis, staining, culture for aerobes, fungi, mycobacteria, and molecular tests for TB were negative). Empirical management for subacute meningoencephalitis was prescribed complemented with tetraconjugated treatment for TB and steroids. As there was no microbiological isolation, biopsy of a cerebellar lesion was performed, which revealed chronic necrotizing granulomatous inflammation and acid-alcohol resistant bacilli. The diagnosis of cerebral TB without meningeal involvement was confirmed. The objective of the present report is to emphasize the importance of considering this presentation of TB in children, to remark the need of exhaustive search for the etiologic agent by obtaining samples of the different fluids and tissues even if it implies recurring to invasive methods.

Diffusion-weighted Imaging and Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Tuberculous Brain Abscess with a Fluid-fluid Level

We encountered a patient with tuberculous brain abscesses, which is very rare. Diffusion-weighted imaging showed high signal in the lower part of the large abscess cavity and low signal in the upper part of the cavity. Proton MRS showed resonances representing lactate. Combined studies with diffusion-weighted imaging and MRS are useful in the differential diagnosis of tuberculous abscess from other structures that feature ring-enhanced lesions.