26/03/2026
Most of us think Tuberculosis (TB) attacks only the lungs. But this case tells a different story, one that challenges that assumption.
A 42-year-old patient came in with seizures and persistent, debilitating headaches. No cough. No typical respiratory symptoms. Nothing that clearly pointed to pulmonary tuberculosis symptoms or even early signs of TB.
At first, the diagnosis wasn’t obvious. Brain scans showed abnormalities, but the cause remained uncertain. It could have been anything, from an infection to something more serious.
It took a careful combination of tests, HRCT and CBNAAT, to connect the dots. What emerged was unexpected: extrapulmonary tuberculosis, specifically Tuberculous meningitis, a rare but severe form of TB infection in the brain.
Treatment wasn’t straightforward either. The patient showed drug intolerance, which meant the usual tuberculosis treatment protocol had to be adjusted. A multidisciplinary team of four specialists worked together, closely monitoring progress, modifying medications, and managing complications.
Weeks later, the outcome shifted. The patient walked out stable, recovered, something that, at one point, didn’t seem guaranteed.
Not every seizure points to a neurological disorder alone.
Sometimes, it’s something deeper. Something we don’t immediately consider, like brain TB symptoms or tuberculosis without cough.
This case is a reminder: TB doesn’t always follow the rules.
And when it doesn’t, diagnosis depends on looking beyond the obvious.
Swipe to read the full case.
