Diagnosis and management of intraspinal tuberculoma with osseous involvement: a case report

Introduction and importance:Intraspinal tuberculoma is rare and challenging situation, which results in serious neurological dysfunctions.Case presentation:This case report shows an intraspinal tuberculoma with osseous involvement in a 31-year-old male patient with subacute progressing neurologic deficit. His medical history included tuberculosis of pulmonary and intestinal 8 years previously, at which time he had been treated with intestinal obstruction operation and antituberculosis treatment. A quadruple antituberculosis treatment was carried out after admission; however, his neurological condition was steadily worsening. He underwent debulking of mass for decompression and pathological analysis revealed intraspinal tuberculoma. The patient was prescribed a 12-month course of antituberculosis therapy, and a good clinical outcome was obtained subsequently.Clinical discussion:This case was treated by microsurgical resection and antituberculosis therapy, and the outcome was favourable.Conclusion:Intraspinal tuberculoma should be considered when an intraspinal mass is found with a history of tuberculosis, it can be effectively diagnosed by MRI and treated by the combination of medical and surgical treatments.