Abstract
Intramedullary spinal tuberculoma is a rare form of central nervous system tuberculosis. Although tuberculosis is unusual in the west, it is still prevalent in Asia and Africa. We report a case in which the diagnosis was made histologically without evidence of symptoms of systemic tuberculosis. The lesion, located in the conus medullaris, mimicked a conus tumor. The patient was a 20-year-old man who presented with a history of progressive leg weakness, urinary urgency, and impotence. There was no history of, or recent contact with, tuberculosis. A diagnosis of an intramedullary tumor in the conus medullaris was made by MRI. The patient underwent a T11-L1 laminectomy and total resection of the lesion with microsurgical technique. Histologic examination revealed a granulomatous lesion containing Langhans’ giant cells, inflammatory cells, and caseating necrosis. Antituberculous medication was instituted as soon as the diagnosis was made. Neurologic symptoms and signs slowly improved postoperatively. A combination of microsurgical resection and antituberculous chemotherapy should be the choice of treatment for intramedullary tuberculomas.
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Received: 11 January 1997 Revised: 1 April 1997 Accepted: 17 April 1997
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Süzer, T., Coşkun, E., Tahta, K. et al. Intramedullary spinal tuberculoma presenting as a conus tumor: a case report and review of the literature. E Spine J 7, 168–171 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s005860050050
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s005860050050