Tuberous sclerosis complex: a case report and literature review

Ital J Pediatr. 2023 Sep 8;49(1):116. doi: 10.1186/s13052-023-01490-z.

Abstract

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder with different initial symptoms and complex clinical manifestations. A 14-year-old female patient presented with persistent fever and severe headache. Medical imaging examinations revealed multiple abnormal intracranial lesions. The patient had previously been misdiagnosed with "encephalitis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis" after visiting numerous hospitals. Eventually, by combing the characteristics of the case and genetic testing results, the patient was diagnosed with TSC accompanied by Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. The purpose of this case report and literature review is to improve understanding of the clinical diagnosis and treatment of TSC so as to avoid misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis, and overtreatment.

Keywords: Case report; Clinical manifestations; Misdiagnosis and overtreatment; Neuroimaging manifestations; Tuberous sclerosis complex.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Encephalitis*
  • Female
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Physical Examination
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma*
  • Tuberous Sclerosis* / complications
  • Tuberous Sclerosis* / diagnosis
  • Tuberous Sclerosis* / therapy