GOOD NEWS: We have fixed the DICOM uploading problem. New cases should work fine. More info radiopaedia.org/chat

Tuberculous abscess

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis certain

Patient Data

Age: Adult
ct

Peripherally enhancing extra-axial left frontal lesion. Significant adjacent vasogenic edema in the left cerebral hemisphere with partial effacement of the lateral ventricle. More superiorly in the frontal lobe is an enhancing nodule. 

Case Discussion

The patient went on to have an evacuation of the collection.

Histology

Sections show a large area of caseating granulomatous inflammation associated with a fibrous type capsule, located superficially within the section of cerebral cortex. The ZN-stained sections confirm the presence of some scattered acid-fast bacilli.

Identification of mycobacteria on microscopy is usually seen to indicate a tuberculous abscess rather than tuberculoma. 

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.