title: Spinal intramedullary tuberculoma and abscess: a rare cause of paraparesis.
abstract: Five cases of spinal intramedullary tuberculomas (IMT) and one case of spinal intramedullary tuberculous abscess (ITA) are presented. Gd enhanced MRI revealed ring enhancing lesion with central hypodensity, suggesting granulomatous pathology. Surgical excision of the intramedullary lesions was carried out in four cases, while two patients received presumptive anti-tuberculous chemotherapy only. Repeat MRI after completion of anti-tuberculous therapy showed total resolution of the lesion. In other cases following surgical excision, the patients improved significantly. The management of these rare lesions is discussed and the literature reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore - 560 029, India. bindira@nimhans.kar.nic.in
authors.forename: B Indira
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Devi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chandra
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mongia
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Chandramouli
authors.forename: K V R
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Sastry
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Shankar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D014375:Tuberculoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents