Multiple ring-enhancing cerebral lesions in systemic lupus erythematosis: a case report

Infectious disease in an immunosuppressed patient is a diagnostic challenge. The clinical presentation and the body’s immune response may be quite different from those seen in an immunocompetent patient with the same infection. It is also a race against time to diagnose, as many of these infections can be fatal without timely intervention.

We present the case of a 39-year-old Sri Lankan woman who was on immunosuppressive treatment for systemic lupus erythematosis and who presented with multiple ring-enhancing lesions of the brain. The most likely diagnosis, given the clinical picture, available investigation results, and characteristics of magnetic resonance imaging, was central nervous system tuberculosis. Owing to the small size of the lesions, a tissue biopsy could not be performed. Our patient responded well to a trial of anti-tuberculosis therapy, and there was clinical and radiological evidence of recovery. A paradoxical reaction with the initiation of anti-tuberculosis therapy was observed and this had to be countered with a prolonged course of steroids.

Our experience and previous evidence from case reports suggest that high-dose steroids for a prolonged period (up to eight weeks) should be administered to counter the initial deterioration after starting anti-tuberculous chemotherapy for central nervous system tuberculomas.