Tuberculous arachnoiditis

Case contributed by Radha Raghavan
Diagnosis possible

Presentation

Low back pain for one week.

Patient Data

Age: 55 years
Gender: Female

Note: This case has been tagged as "legacy" as it no longer meets image preparation and/or other case publication guidelines.

mri

The nerve roots are clumped and adherent to the periphery of the thecal sac giving the appearance of an empty thecal sac.

Case Discussion

Arachnoiditis, especially caused due to tuberculosis, is a potentially treatable cause and hence the necessity for its recognition.

Arachnoiditis of the adhesive type is albeit a rare complication of tubercular meningitis, which this patient has a history of. The exudate lies posteriorly due to gravity and hence the adhesive nature of the nerve roots to the periphery of the thecal sac giving the appearance of the empty thecal sac sign.

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