Ring enhancing intracranial lesion responding to antituberculous treatment in an HIV-infected patient

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 2010 Sep-Oct;52(5):285-7. doi: 10.1590/s0036-46652010000500013.

Abstract

Cerebral tuberculomas constitute a major differential diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasmosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in developing countries. We report the case of a 34-year old woman co-infected with HIV and possible disseminated tuberculosis (hepatitis, lymphadenopathy, and pleural effusion) who presented a large and solitary intracranial mass lesion. Despite extensive diagnostic efforts, including brain, ganglionar, and liver biopsies, no definitive diagnosis was reached. However, a trial with first-line antituberculous drugs led to a significant clinical and radiological improvement. Atypical presentations of cerebral tuberculomas should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of intracranial mass lesions in HIV-infected patients and a trial with antituberculous drugs is a valuable strategy to infer the diagnosis in a subset of patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy*
  • Adult
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Tuberculoma, Intracranial / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents