A Case of Tuberculosis-related Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis Presenting With Peripheral Neuropathy

Nastaran Rafiei; Negar Khanlou; Shaweta Khosa; Negar Moheb; Shri K Mishra

doi:10.7759/cureus.3703

A Case of Tuberculosis-related Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis Presenting With Peripheral Neuropathy

Cureus. 2018 Dec 7;10(12):e3703. doi: 10.7759/cureus.3703.

Authors

Nastaran Rafiei¹, Negar Khanlou², Shaweta Khosa³, Negar Moheb³, Shri K Mishra⁴

Affiliations

¹ Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
² Pathology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
³ Neurology, Olive View - University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA.
⁴ Neurology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.

Abstract

Tuberculous granulomatous vasculitis is commonly associated with meningitis and retinitis. We describe a 39-year-old male, with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) who presented with progressive weakness, pain, tingling and numbness in the bilateral lower extremities. Significant atrophy and weakness of the lower extremities were evident along with absent reflexes. Nerve conduction studies and electromyography showed severe axonal polyneuropathy and denervation on the lower extremities. Nerve biopsy demonstrated small vessel leukocytoclastic vasculitis without any granuloma formation. Muscle biopsy was consistent with denervation and atrophy with target fiber changes. Tuberculosis-related vasculitis causing peripheral neuropathy is extremely rare and our case is unique in manifesting this presentation.

Keywords: allergic vasculitis; leukocytoclastic vasculitis; neuropathy; tuberculosis.

Publication types

Case Reports