Tuberculous brain abscess and subdural empyema in an immunocompetent child: Significance of AFB staining in aspirated pus.

Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology
B VijayakumarGirija Mohan

Abstract

Tuberculous brain abscess and subdural empyema are extremely rare manifestations of central nervous system tuberculosis. Here, we report a case of an 11-year-old immunocompetent child who developed temporal lobe abscess and subdural empyema following chronic otitis media. A right temporal craniotomy was performed and the abscess was excised. The Ziehl Nielsen staining of the aspirated pus from the temporal lobe abscess yielded acid fast bacilli. Prompt administration of antituberculous treatment resulted in complete recovery of the child. Even though the subdural abscess was not drained, we presume that to be of tubercular aetiology. Ours is probably the first case of brain abscess and subdural empyema due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis reported in the same child. This case is being reported because of its rarity and to stress the importance of routine staining for tubercle bacilli in all cases of brain abscess, especially in endemic areas, as it is difficult to differentiate tuberculous from pyogenic abscess clinically as well as histopathologically.

References

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May 1, 2002·Child's Nervous System : ChNS : Official Journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery·Raj KumarSurabhi Sahay
Sep 24, 2008·Journal of Medical Microbiology·Sarala MenonD A Palande
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Citations

Aug 25, 2012·Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology·Praveen S Bagalkot
May 27, 2016·Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society·Jiha KimSeung Jin Lee
Jul 18, 2018·Child's Nervous System : ChNS : Official Journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery·Dattatraya MuzumdarChandrashekhar Deopujari
Feb 4, 2021·Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences·Vinod K S Gautam, Sambhav Upadhyay
Apr 24, 2021·International Journal of Surgery Case Reports·Yakhya CisseJean Michel Nzisabira

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
ESR
PCR

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Brain Abscess

Brain abscess is an accumulation of pus caused by inflammation and infected materials in the brain. Symptoms include fever, headache, seizures and other neurological problems. Discover the latest research on brain abscess today.