[Cerebral tuberculomas]

Rev Neurol (Paris). 2003 Sep;159(8-9):795-8.
[Article in French]

Abstract

We report eight cases of brain tuberculoma. The clinical presentation was polymorphous: partial epilepsy (n=4), headache (n=3), hemiplegia (n=1), meningitis (n=1), cerebellar syndrome (n=1). Six patients also had pulmonary tuberculosis, one had tuberculosis of the genital organs, and one had HIV co-infection. The brain CT scan and MRI were highly contributive to diagnosis and follow-up. Despite good compliance with an anti-tuberculosis regimen for at least 14 months, the course was favorable in only six patients. Adjunction of corticosteroids led to radiological improvement. Assessment of cell immunity demonstrated a diminished immunomodulator ratio. Cerebral tuberculoma should be searched for in patients with unexplained neurological manifestations and several intracerebral lesions, particularly if pulmonary or visceral tuberculosis and/or immunodepression is part of the clinical picture.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular / immunology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Tuberculoma, Intracranial / drug therapy
  • Tuberculoma, Intracranial / immunology
  • Tuberculoma, Intracranial / pathology*
  • Tuberculosis, Male Genital / complications
  • Tuberculosis, Male Genital / immunology
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / complications
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / immunology

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones