Intracranial tuberculoma in non-immunosuppressive state

Abstract

The rise in the incidence of tuberculosis is generally related to human immunodeficiency virus infection. However, intracranial tuberculoma, a complication of tuberculosis considered to be a critical disease, can develop even in the absence of immunosuppressive state. Here, we describe 2 cases of intracranial tuberculoma occurring in patients with no evidence of immunosuppressive state or past history of tuberculosis. In Case 1, lesions were observed in the right lateral ventricle, with histological examination revealing granulomatous lesions. In Case 2, scattered lesions were observed in the cranium and the lung fields. In both cases, the QuantiFERON Test (QFT) was positive, and improvements were observed in the symptoms following administration of antituberculous drugs. Intracranial tuberculoma cannot be considered rare, and needs to be included in the differential diagnosis of intracranial lesions. Diagnosis can be tricky since this disease can develop in a patient in a non-immunosuppressive state or without a past history of tuberculosis. The QFT is an effective test to enable the diagnosis of tuberculomas in atypical patients.