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 f...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: José E. Vidal, Sérgio Cimerman, Paula R. Marques da Silva, Jaques Sztajnbok, João F.G.S. Coelho, Diogo L.M. Lins
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Universidade de São Paulo (USP) 2003
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Online Access:https://doaj.org/article/6a6c8babee2f4a7cacfb7c2d54995879
Description
Summary: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.