Magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing spinal cord tuberculoma: A case series and literature review

Abstract

Spinal cord tuberculoma is a clinically significant form of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, despite its rarity. It leads to considerable neurological deficits and morbidity. Accurate diagnosis and early intervention depend on radiologic imaging, typically MRI, which reveals T2 hypointensity with rim enhancement, forming a ``target sign'' characteristic of caseous stage tuberculoma. In this article, we present 3 cases of spinal cord tuberculoma without adjacent vertebral involvement; 2 cases affect the lower thoracic region, while one involves the cervical cord. All patients exhibited some degree of body weakness, which improved following the initiation of anti-tuberculosis treatment. Also, we discuss the role of MRI in diagnosing spinal cord tuberculoma, highlighting its characteristic findings, and review recent literature on the topic.