 |
NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
|
|
|
NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
|
Tuberculosis |
TB in the Fossa Region06/08/2009 |
MRI of my father-in-law (72) shows an anomaly in fossa region, suspected to be either a tumour or TB infection. Symptoms are ataxia and occassional headache for past two months. The former is most prominent. Is it possible to have TB infection in this area?
Yes, it is possible to have a tuberculosis (TB) lesion (tuberculoma) in the brain. In fact, in developing countries where TB is endemic, tuberculomas are the most common cause of brain lesions. It is rare in developed countries. Depending on where in the brain the tuberculoma is, it can cause symptoms of ataxia and headache. An MRI may be suggestive of TB but cannot differentiate it from other tumors. So, if your father in-law has a known history of TB exposure, infection, or disease, the chance of the brain lesion being due to TB is higher.The gold standard for diagnosis and confirmation that it is TB is based on biopsy but this may be difficult to obtain. Often, patients are started on treatment for TB, and recover with medical treatment. Close follow-up with a TB specialist and neurologist is needed.
|
Shu-Hua Wang, MD, MPH&TM Medical Director, Ben Franklin TB Control Program Assistant Professor Division of Infectious Diseases Department of Internal Medicine College of Medicine The Ohio State University |
|
|
|
Larry S. Schlesinger, MD Director, Center for Microbial Interface Biology Professor, Division Director Division of Infectious Diseases Department of Internal Medicine College of Medicine The Ohio State University |
|
|
|
Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More) 
|