[Efficacy of the sparfloxacin-ethambutol combination in a case of cerebral tuberculosis]

Pseudotumor Presentation of Intracerebral Tuberculomas

Diagnosis of tuberculoma is difficult because of its tumorlike aspects. This report describes the case of a male who displayed a hemiplegia revealing an intracranial mass. Neuroimaging was consistent with a glioblastoma; however, the definite diagnosis was a tuberculoma. Clinical features of tuberculomas are nonspecific. Even though the neuroimaging features are sensitive, they are much less specific, with variability related to the tuberculoma course. Investigations leading to the diagnosis are histologic analysis showing a granuloma with or without caseating necrosis, and the microbiologic identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Every intracranial tumor with malignant radiologic and clinical appearance must evoke a suspicion for tuberculoma.

[Association of a pulmonary, breast and cerebral tuberculosis]

INTRODUCTION

The concomitant unexpected arrival of a breast tuberculosis and cerebral tuberculomas to a same immunocompetent patient has not been ever described in the literature.

EXEGESIS

We report the case of an non-HIV-infected woman who presented a pulmonary, breast tuberculosis and intracranial tuberculomas. Investigation for acid-fast bacilli in sputum and cerebrospinal fluid was negative. The patient received an antituberculous therapy for 15 months, which led to the disappearance of the cerebral lesions.

CONCLUSION

Our case was particular by the affected organs, the absence of immunodeficiency and the favorable outcome.