A Case of Tuberculous Meningoencephalitis Presenting as Prominent Psychotic Features

현저한 정신증상으로 발현된 결핵성 뇌수막뇌염 1예

Intracranial vasculitis is a rare and disastrous complication of tuberculous meningitis if not treated properly. Focal neurologic deficits according to the vessels involved are common manifestation. Here, we report a 29-year-old man who suffered abrupt, bizarre behavioral changes caused by vasculitis complicating tuberculous meningoencephalitis. The diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis is based upon both the CSF findings and a chest X-ray. His systemic symptoms disappeared by after being administered antituberculous medication but various psychotic features such as hypersomnia, hyperphagia and aggressive behavior continued. A brain MRI showed multiple small parenchymal tuberculous nodules, and the brain MR angiography revealed a narrowing of the proximal middle cerebral arteries and a reduced visualization of the cerebral vessels, suggesting widespread vasculitis. Intravenous dexamethasone successfully ameliorated his behavioral changes. In addition both the follow up brain MRI and angiography showed a normalization of the previous findings.

저자들은 속립성 폐결핵과 연관되어 급성 경과를 보인 결핵성 뇌수막뇌염 환자에서 뇌혈관 자기공명영상으로 혈관염 소견을 확인하고, 스테로이드의 투여와 중단, 재투여에 따라 뇌증의 증세가 뚜렷히 변하는 임상경과, 증상이 호전된 후 추적한 뇌혈관 자기공명영상에서 혈관 영상이 정상화된 것을 확인할 수 있었던 사례를 경험하였기에 문헌고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.