Tuberculoma of the cavernous sinus: case report.

Abstract

The cavernous sinus is an exceptional location for intracranial tuberculomas. A rapid diagnosis, based on pathological findings, improves the prognosis. A case of left cavernous sinus tuberculoma, revealed by frontal headaches and ipsilateral palsies of Cranial Nerves III and V, in a 48-year-old patient is reported. The lesion mimicked an aggressive meningioma in radiological examinations. The lesion was excised through a subtemporal approach. The diagnosis was based on the pathological examination of the mass. Postoperative antituberculous chemotherapy completed the treatment. Neurological symptoms regressed rapidly. Although the incidence of intracranial tuberculomas is decreasing in developed countries, a high index of suspicion must be maintained for the diagnosis of intracranial masses in the presence of risk factors for tuberculosis.