Neurobrucellosis in an 11-year-old child: A rare case report of brain microabscesses from an endemic region

Neurobrucellosis is a severe and rare complication of human brucellosis, particularly in the pediatric population. It manifests with diverse clinical presentations, with meningoencephalitis being the most common. Limited cases have been reported in Saudi Arabia. Here, we present the case of an 11-year-old boy diagnosed with neurobrucellosis who developed diplopia, inward deviation of the left eye, and ophthalmoplegia. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed pleocytosis, elevated protein levels, and high opening pressure. Brain magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated microabscesses with nodular enhancement, dural thickening in the quadrigeminal cistern, and swelling with edema of the left optic nerve. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a patient with brain microabscesses secondary to Brucella infection in Saudi Arabia. This case highlights the need for heightened awareness of neurobrucellosis as a differential diagnosis in children presenting with unusual neurological symptoms in endemic regions.