Cerebral tuberculosis mimicking intracranial tumour

Abstract

Cerebral tuberculoma is a rare entity and is one of the causes of intracerebral mass lesions. A rapid diagnosis based on pathological findings improves its prognosis. We describe two cases where the tuberculoma was located in the cavernous sinus and prepontine cistern, respectively. The first case was a 36-year-old man who was admitted with progressive headache, left ptosis and diplopia. Computed tomography showed a solid enhancing mass in the left cavernous sinus. Diagnosis of meningioma was proposed and a left pterional craniotomy was performed. Histopathological examination revealed granulomatous inflammation with areas of caseation necrosis. The second case was a 20-year-old man who presented with headache, new-onset strabismus, diplopia, malaise, weight loss and low-grade fever. The lesion mimicked an aggressive meningioma on imaging. The patient was operated for primary diagnosis of cerebral tumour. The histopathological examination of the excised lesion revealed a tuberculoma. Although the incidence of tuberculosis is decreasing, a high index of suspicion must be maintained for the diagnosis of intracranial masses in the presence of risk factors for tuberculosis.