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  • Title: Clinicopathological study of tuberculous brain abscess.
    Author: Chakraborti S, Mahadevan A, Govindan A, Nagarathna S, Santosh V, Yasha TC, Devi BI, Chandramouli BA, Kovoor JM, Chandramuki A, Shankar SK.
    Journal: Pathol Res Pract; 2009; 205(12):815-22. PubMed ID: 19608350.
    Abstract:
    Central nervous system tuberculosis is still one of the leading causes of morbidity in the developing world, and tuberculous abscess is one of its uncommon manifesting forms. It closely mimics a pyogenic abscess clinically, radiologically, and histologically. An accurate diagnosis is imperative due to therapeutic implications. In this study, 21 cases of tuberculous abscesses encountered over a period of 13 years (1995-2007) were reviewed to study the clinical, radiological, and histopathological spectrum of the disease. The presence of palisading epithelioid cells and sheets of foamy histiocytes, enclosing a neutrophillic exudate rich in fibrin with nuclear debris, were clues as to suspicion of a tuberculous abscess. The demonstration of acid fast bacilli in the wall of the abscess or necrotic contents by microscopy or culture is essential to confirm the diagnosis of tuberculous abscess. A high index of clinical suspicion is necessary particularly in countries endemic for tuberculosis to ensure an accurate diagnosis and application of an appropriate therapy.
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