The use of thalidomide in the treatment of intracranial tuberculomas in adults: two case reports

We present two cases of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in adults complicated by focal neurological deficits which showed progression whilst on steroids. In case 1 an MRI demonstrated multiple ring-enhancing lesions compressing the optic chiasm leading to a bitemporal hemianopia. After the introduction of thalidomide serial imaging and field perimetry at 6, 9, 12 and 24 months into treatment showed progressive improvement. In case 2, two months into anti-tuberculous treatment with steroids, the patient developed fluctuating right sided paralysis with the MRI demonstrating a large ring-enhancing mass encasing the left internal carotid and middle cerebral arteries. Thalidomide was introduced as an immunomodulatory adjunct and subsequently the patient made a complete neurological recovery. The immunomodulatory effects of thalidomide may have a role in the acute and chronic management of TBM complicated by intracranial tuberculomas. (C) 2003 The British Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.