Tuberculous brain abscess in a patient with AIDS: case report and literature review.
Tuberculous brain abscesses in AIDS patients are considered rare with only eight cases reported in the literature. We describe the case of a 34-year-old woman with AIDS and previous toxoplasmic encephalitis who was admitted due to headache and seizures. A brain computed tomography scan disclosed a frontal hypodense lesion with a contrast ring enhancement. Brain abscess was suspected and she underwent a lesion puncture through a trepanation. The material extracted was purulent and the acid-fast smear was markedly positive. Timely medical and surgical approaches allowed a good outcome. Tuberculous abscesses should be considered in the differential diagnosis of focal brain lesions in AIDS patients. Surgical excision or stereotactic aspiration, and antituberculous treatment are the mainstay in the management of these uncommon lesions.
Vidal
José E
JE
Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. jbermudez@emilioribas.sp.gov.br
Cimerman
Sérgio
S
da Silva
Paula R Marques
PR
Sztajnbok
Jaques
J
Coelho
João F G S
JF
Lins
Diogo L M
DL
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016862:Tuberculoma, Intracranial / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery