Ophthalmology Commons^™

Typical Sounding Atypical Diagnostic Conundrum -- A Rare Case Of Mycobacterium Avium Complex (Mac) Presenting With Multiple Cranial Nerve Involvement, Ashwini Kini, Karl Echiverri, Edward J. Escott, Padmaja Sudhakar

Neurology Faculty Publications

Background

MAC infections rarely cause symptomatic systemic infection in immunocompetent healthy individuals. This case brings to light a rare such presentation that gives us a learning point about keeping a strong pre-clinical suspicion for this condition in patients whom lung imaging reveals suspicious cavitary lesions. Starting empiric therapy while awaiting culture results may be considered after weighing risks and benefits in order to achieve the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease.

Case report

A 54 year-old white male presented for evaluation of progressively worsening vertigo, imbalance, vertical diplopia, facial diplegia, bilateral hyperacusis followed by hearing loss, dysphagia, and dysarthria …