Tuberculous syringomyelia in an HIV-infected patient: a case report

A 37-year-old HIV-positive Gambian woman presented with spastic weakness of the right leg six years after receiving treatment for tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine showed a multiloculated syrinx in the thoracic spinal cord extending from the T2 to the T11 level. Syringomyelia and syringobulbia have been reported as complications of TBM. We describe the first case of syringomyelia as an uncommon late complication of treated TBM in the setting of HIV infection. Early recognition of this rare entity may avoid irreversible neurological sequelae.