title: Isolated Cerebellar Spindle Cell Pseudotumor Caused by Mycobacterium Avium-Intracellulare Complex in a Patient without AIDS.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spindle cell pseudotumors are formed by histiocytes in response to infection by Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) and are rare in patients without AIDS.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 66-year-old man presented with neck pain, ataxia, and a history of sarcoidosis. A cerebellar lesion was identified on magnetic resonance imaging and surgically excised. Histopathology revealed this to be a spindle cell pseudotumor and MAC was isolated by bacterial culture of cerebrospinal fluid. Hematology revealed cluster of differentiation 4 lymphocytopenia but human immunodeficiency virus serology was negative. The patient was commenced on antimicrobial treatment that included a macrolide and remained well at 1 year follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This rare presentation of isolated intracranial MAC was treated with surgical excision and antimicrobials with a good outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland. Electronic address: mingsheng.lim@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ming-Sheng
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropathology, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Niamh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bermingham
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Cathal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: O'Broin
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Ayman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khalil
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropathology, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Keohane
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002526:Cerebellar Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015270:Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Cerebellum; Intracranial; Mycobacterium avium complex; T-lymphocytopenia idiopathic CD4-positive