A rare third ventricle solitary tuberculoma.

The localization of the tuberculoma at the third ventricle is rare. The authors report a case of third ventricle solitary Tuberculoma which has occurred in a 10 year old patient and revealed by a syndrome of intracranial hypertension without tuberculosis stigma. This lesion appears clinically and radiologically as a primary brain tumor. A total removal using a subchoroidal approach to the third ventricle has been performed. Histological examination showed a tuberculous like granuloma. An adjuvant antituberculous chemotherapy practiced for 6 months brought the complete cure. The authors insist on the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties in front of a third ventricle solitary tuberculoma.

[Spinal tuberculosis. Epidemiologic and diagnostic aspects: a study of 28 clinical observations]. / La tuberculose vertébrale: aspects épidémiologiques et diagnostiques. A propos de 28 observations cliniques de Côte d'Ivoire.

OBJECTIVE: To rapidly diagnose spinal tuberculosis in order to improve its prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective study of 28 clinical observations of patients treated in the neurosurgery department of Yopougon's University Teaching Hospital during a 7-year period (January 1994-December 2000). The diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis was established based on clinical, radiological microbiological and histologic arguments. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients is 40 years (from 5 to 75 years of age). The typical spondylodiscitis was the commonest form observed (22 cases) with paravertebral abcess (4 cases). Retropharyngeal abcess was noted in two cases. One case of spondylitis was observed. In two cases, there were a spondylodiscal lesion associated with neural arch lesion. CT scan was helpful in determining the extent of the lesions whereas standard radiography was normal. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis is difficult because of the atypical form of spinal tuberculosis. These forms need differential diagnosis with spine tumors.