Tuberculoma as expansive process of the cerebellopontine angle; A rare presentation

ABSTRACT

Central nervous system tubrculoma presenting as a solitary mass in an extrinsic location is rare. Many factors make the diagnosis difficult, necessitating a surgical procedure. A 24-year-old man complained of unstable gait, slurred speech and occipital headache. Examination revealed an alert individual with bilateral horizontal nystagmus, facial palsy in the left and gait ataxia. Radiological investigation showed a growing process in the left cerebellopontine angle. Partial removal of the lesion via a retromastoid sub-occipital craniotomy approach revealed tuberculoma. Antituberculous treatment led to complete resolution of symptoms. This report shows that a mass in the CP angle can closely mimic a tumour radiologically. Histophathological examination confirmed it to be tuberculoma. Awareness of this rare presentation of a solitary tuberculoma in the CP angle is emphasized