Central nervous system tuberculoma in the corpus callosum mimicking a butterfly glioma: literature review of radiological findings and our experience

Context: Central nervous system (CNS) tuberculoma is the most common form of intracranial parenchymal tuberculosis (TB) which accounts for approximately 40% of misdiagnosed brain lesions mimicking intracranial tumors. The most common sites are the cerebral hemispheres, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and brainstem. Materials and Methods: Radiological findings of corpus callosum tuberculomas have been described and set in relation with the available literature. Results: Corpus callosum tuberculomas are extremely rare, with only five cases reported in the current literature. Even though isolated CNS tuberculoma of the corpus callosum without systemic TB in immunocompetent patients occurs rarely, as in our case, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of solitary corpus callosum lesions. Conclusions: Careful evaluation of the neuroradiological images with adequate clinicoradiological correlation allows for accurate diagnosis and ensures the proper and timely care.

Key-words:

Central nervous system - corpus callosum lesion - intracranial tuberculosis - tuberculoma

Introduction

Tuberculosis (TB) is the clinical manifestation of the infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis with high morbidity and mortality reported each year. In recent years, the infection has shown a re-emergent role even in non-endemic areas with the diffusion of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and increasing immigration from developing nations.

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is a rare but dramatic consequence of the infection and it accounts for roughly 1% of all TB cases and about 15% of the extrapulmonary TB cases. Tuberculoma is the most common form of intracranial parenchymal TB which accounts for approximately 40% of misdiagnosed brain lesions mimicking intracranial tumors.[[1]]

Even if isolated CNS tuberculomas of the corpus callosum without systemic TB, as in our case, are exceptional, they are usually misdiagnosed.

The authors present a case of a CNS tuberculoma in the corpus callosum mimicking a butterfly glioma with no signs of systemic TB in immunocompetent patient. A review of scientific literature has been performed, analyzing radiological features of corpus callosum tuberculomas with the aim to raise awareness about taking into account intracranial tuberculomas as a differential diagnosis in the solitary lesion of the corpus callosum.

Materials and Methods

Review of literature

We present a literature review using the National Library of Medicine based on the keywords: “tuberculoma,” “intracranial TB,” “corpus callosum lesion,” and “CNS.” Only English reports were considered. Among 157 articles, only 4 manuscripts describe a single TB lesion in the corpus callosum.[[2]],[[3]],[[4]],[[5]]

Case report

A 44-year-old Senegalese man was admitted to our department of neurological surgery complaining of headache, progressive confusion, memory impairment, behavior disorder with tendency toward aggression, dysarthria, and right hemiparesis for a period of 2 weeks. The patient was immunocompetent, with no relevant past history; routine hematologic examination, serology tests, and chest radiography were normal. The patient denied any history of fever, TBC exposure, or respiratory tract infections.

The patient underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with and without contrast administration. The examination showed a lesion of the rostrum of the corpus callosum extended into the left frontal lobe, causing compression and dislocation of the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle and an initial subfalcine herniation. The lesion appeared on T1-weighted images (T1WI) after contrast administration (gadolinium) scans as hypointense with nonhomogeneous rim contrast enhancement. On T2-weighted sequences (T2WI), a central hypointense core surrounded by perilesional edema was distinctive [[Figure 1]]a, [[Figure 1]]c, [[Figure 1]]d, [[Figure 1]]e.

Figure 1: (a-e) Preoperative coronal T1-weighted, without and after contrast administration, axial T1-weighted without and after contrast administration, axial T2-weighted magnetic resonance images showing lesion of the rostrum of the corpus callosum extended into the left frontal lobe, causing compression and dislocation of the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle. (f) Postoperative computed tomography scan shows tumor gross total resection

A high-grade “butterfly” glioma was suspected, given the young age of the patient, his clinical history, the symptoms, the physical examination, and the laboratories results. The patient underwent a left frontal craniotomy. Microscopical instrumentation was set. The dura was opened preserving the superior sagittal sinus. The tumor, coming on the medial surface of the left frontal lobe and originating from the rostrum of the corpus callosum, appeared as a less vascular yellowish mass. Gross total resection was achieved. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) scan was uneventful [Figure 1f].

As shown in [[Figure 1]]a, [[Figure 1]]b, [[Figure 1]]c, [[Figure 1]]d, [[Figure 1]]e, preoperative coronal T1WI, without and after contrast administration, axial T1WI without and after contrast administration, and axial T2WI MRIs show lesion of the rostrum of the corpus callosum extended into the left frontal lobe, causing compression and dislocation of the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle. As shown in [[Figure 1]]f, postoperative CT scan shows tumor gross total resection.

Microscopic examination showed a caseous necrotic center surrounded by a granulomatous reaction that included epithelioid and Langhans giant cells.

The overall features of the specimen were sufficiently characteristic to suggest the diagnosis of intracranial tuberculoma.The Ziehl-Neelsen and periodic acid-Schiff stains did not demonstrate acid-fast bacilli and bacteriologic cultures were negative. Anti-TB treatment was immediately started with a five drug regimen (rifampin, isoniazid, ethambutol, moxifloxacin, and pyrazinamide).

The postoperative course was uneventful with no surgical morbidity and clinical improvement. The 2-month postoperative follow-up MRI showed complete regression of the lesion with complete resolution of the symptoms.

Results

[[Table 1]] shows detailed features of our literature review, included our case.

Table 1: Corpus callosum tuberculomas: Clinical and radiological features, histological characteristics, treatment, and outcome

Table 1: Contd...

Montgomery[[4]] in 1933 described a case of 69-year-old man suffering from headache, dizziness, and weakness, especially in the left leg. Since in 1933 there were not any medical diagnostic devices such as CT or MRI, no information is available about the radiological features of the lesion. The diagnosis was achieved through postmortem autopsy which confirmed a lesion of the corpus callosum extended in the right frontal lobe of about 4 cm transversely and 2.25 cm vertically. This mass was composed of very soft material, which on the left had a red color, while on the right, it was yellowish white. Microscopic examination showed necrotic areas surrounded by cellular condensation arranged in a radial fashion suggesting a tubercle.

Brismar et al.[[2]] in 1996 analyzed all patients affected by intracranial tuberculomas misdiagnosed as brain tumors treated at their department. Among them, there were only 2 cases of intraparenchymal corpus callosum tuberculoma resembling a high-grade glioma.

First case a 16-year-old female presented 8-month history of headache and vomiting and 5-month history of retro-orbital pain and papilledema. CT scans described an isodense corpus callosum lesion with ipodense center with irregular ring enhancement after contrast administration. Cerebral angiography showed an avascular lesion causing occlusion of left middle parietal Sylvain branches.

Similar radiological CT features were noted in a 56-year-old female admitted complaining of 4-month history of mental changes and intermittent fever and of 2-month history of inability to walk and incontinence.

Fath-Ordoubadi et al.[[3]] in 1997 described a single large with irregular enhancing lesion crossing the midline arising from the corpus callosum at CT scans in a middle-aged male patient with gradual onset of acute right-sided facial and limb weakness. Two weeks later, the patient developed sudden deterioration with increasing weakness, headache, and dysphasia.

Psimaras et al.[[5]] in 2014 first reported the MRI features of a lesion involving the left side of the frontal lobe, crossing the corpus callosum, and displacing the ventricles and median line. On TIWI after gadolinium administration, the lesion appeared defined by a central hypointense core with nonhomogeneous rim contrast enhancement. T2WI scans shows peripheral hypersignal and a hypointense core. T2WI sequences (T2WI) show a distinct central hypointense core surrounded by perilesional hyperintense signal due to perilesional edema. Single-voxel spectroscopy (MRS) confirmed the characteristic elevated choline peak and a decreased NAA and lipid peak.

Discussion

CNS tubercular involvement is related to hematogenous spreading from a distant primary site, usually lungs to regions that are highly vascularized and oxygenated, such as the brain.

HIV infection or other acquired forms of immunosuppression significantly increase the risk for acquisition of TB, the rate of progression from latent to active disease, and TB-associated morbidity and mortality. In particular, extrapulmonary manifestations appear in 40% of HIV-infected patients with TB.[[6]] Nevertheless unexpected, CNS tuberculoma can affect also immunocompetent patients with normal routine hematologic examination, serology tests, and chest radiography as reported by the authors.

Most tuberculomas are found at the corticomedullary junction because of narrowing of the arterioles as they enter the white matter or develop from the extension of CSF infection into the adjacent parenchyma via cortical veins or perivascular Virchow–Robin spaces around small penetrating arteries.[[7]] These lesions are generally multiple and hemispheric and associated with enhancing exudates in basal and suprasellar cisterns, hydrocephalous with ventricular ependymal enhancement, focal or diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement, focal cerebritis, and infarcts.[[8]] In the adults, the lesions are predominantly located supratentorially, while in the pediatric counterpart, they are mainly distributed infratentorially. The most common sites are cerebral hemispheres, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and brainstem.[[9]]

Although uncommon, intracranial tuberculomas can arise from the corpus callosum white matter and extend to the adjacent brain parenchyma. The lesion can appear as a large-size solitary lesion , as in our case, in recognition of the fact that cerebral tuberculoma has to reach a certain critical size in this location before producing symptoms of a space-occupying lesion. This process can take a long time explained by the fact that tuberculoma is the expression of a chronic inflammatory response to M. TB infection. In addition, cerebral tuberculoma could be the only pathological expression of CNS TB, making the radiological diagnosis more challenging.

Tuberculomas may also be variable in size. As long as there is no clear definition about the definition of “giant” tuberculoma, the authors agree with Kumar et al.[[8]] defining “giant” a lesion of more than 1 cm size. In our case, the lesion was 60 mm × 51 mm × 36 mm; Brismar et al.[[2]] did not report any information about size, but in their report, single lesions were typically of about 3 cm in diameter and surrounded by moderate or marked edema. In Montgomery's report,[[4]] postmortem autopsy confirmed a lesion of about 4 cm transversely and 2.25 cm vertically.

In conclusion, the authors presented the largest corpus callosum tuberculoma described up to now.

At the moment of the clinical presentation and then of the diagnosis, analyzing, and comparing the radiological findings of our literature review,[[2]],[[3]],[[4]],[[5]] the authors report that all CT scans showed an isodense corpus callosum lesion with ipodense central core; MRI revealed a lesion with a mass effect characterized by central hypointense core and nonhomogeneous contrast enhancement after gadolinium administration on T1WI images, while on T2WI scans, the corpus callosum tuberculoma appeared defined by peripheral hypersignal and a hypointense core surrounded by edema. All these features are consistent with the radiological findings of our case and are summarized in [[Table 1]].

Pathologically, the initial lesion consists of a typical granuloma with epithelioid cells, Langhans giant cells, and a peripheral rim of lymphocytes called noncaseating tuberculoma. Central caseous necrosis and liquefaction develop in subsequent stages. Tuberculoma development occurs in four stages (noncaseating granuloma, caseating granuloma, caseating granuloma with central liquefaction, and calcified granuloma) and the MRI features change as well as the histopathology.

In the first “non caseating” stage, tuberculoma appears hyperintense on T2WI images, isointense or hypointense on T1, and shows nodular or ring enhancement on postcontrast studies.

Caseating tuberculomas are usually isointense or hypointense surrounded by a hyperintense rim on both T2WI and T1WI with rim contrast enhancement after gadolinium administration. The solid caseation core is high in lipid contents, with macrophage infiltration responsible for the T2WI hypointensity.

When liquefaction of the core occurs within a tuberculoma, it appears as a T2 hyperintense lesion with a peripheral hypointense rim. On T1WI images, the center is hypointense with rim enhancement on postcontrast studies.

In the final stage, tuberculomas often undergo calcification with a consensual reduction of the perilesional edema noticeable on T1WI and T2WI images by the lack of the peripheral hyperintensity and of rim enhancement.

On CT scan, occasionally, tuberculomas show up a central calcification surrounded by a hypodense area; this pattern defines that “target sign” is highly suggestive of TB, although not specific.[[10]]

MRI is highly sensitive but has low specificity for the diagnosis of tuberculomas and the differential diagnosis of ring-enhancing lesions includes several possibilities.

The major ones include high-grade glioma, metastasis and neurocysticercosis.

Metastases and high-grade gliomas are usually hyperintense on T2W in contrast to the T2W hypointense tuberculomas except in the first non-caseating stage. In this stage, 1H proton spectroscopy is also helpful because it shows a choline peak at 3.2 ppm in metastases, while tuberculoma shows a lipid peak. In addition, the extent of perilesional edema is disproportionately high in metastases as compared to tuberculomas.[[9]]

Neurocysticercosis lesions are generally multiple, placed in the sulcal subarachnoid spaces and usually size <2 cm; they appear as T2 hyperintense cysts lacking of rim enhancement on TIWI postcontrast administration.[[11]]

Conclusion

CNS tuberculoma is a rare expression of the extrapulmonary TB disease usually misdiagnosis. This lesion can develop in any region of the brain, also in unusual locations, such as the corpus callosum and can occur in immunocompetent patients with no history of systemic TB, leading to a wrong diagnosis.

The evolution of the neuroimaging tools such as MRI and spectroscopy aids the differential diagnosis with other more common conditions. Careful evaluation of the neuroradiological images with adequate clinicoradiological correlation allows for accurate diagnosis and ensures the proper care.

Declaration of patient consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

Conflict of Interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

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Publication History

Received: 27 October 2020

Accepted: 06 March 2021

Article published online:
16 August 2022