title: Cavernous sinus tuberculoma: diagnostic difficulties in a personal case.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tuberculoma of the brain is rare, and its location in the cavernous sinus is exceptional. Many factors make the diagnosis difficult, necessitating a surgical procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 44-year-old woman complained of persistent headaches and diplopia. The examination revealed a right cavernous sinus syndrome. Radiologic investigation showed a growing process in the right cavernous sinus, overlapping the sella turcica. The diagnoses of metastasis, tuberculoma, and sarcoidosis were considered, but none of them could be confirmed. A biopsy of the lesion via a subtemporal approach revealed a tuberculoma. Antituberculous treatment led to complete resolution of her symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnosis of a cavernous sinus tuberculoma is difficult; it is confirmed by biopsy. However, a trial of medical treatment, if the results are favorable, may obviate the need for a surgical procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, H. Bourguiba Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rebai
authors.forename: M Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Boudawara
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bahloul
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chabchoub
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chaari
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boudawara
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ben Mansour
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002426:Cavernous Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D016862:Tuberculoma, Intracranial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents