Single thalamic localization of brain toxoplasmosis mimicking brain tumors: Radiological and clinical findings.

Brain magnetic resonance imaging Brain tumor Cerebral toxoplasmosis Stereotactic biopsy

Journal

Surgical neurology international
ISSN: 2229-5097
Titre abrégé: Surg Neurol Int
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101535836

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
2023
Historique:
received: 11 01 2023
accepted: 15 02 2023
medline: 8 4 2023
entrez: 7 4 2023
pubmed: 8 4 2023
Statut: epublish

Résumé

Cerebral toxoplasmosis is a relatively rare disorder that usually affects immunocompromised patients. The most common scenario occurs among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients. In those patients, toxoplasmosis is the most frequent cause of expansive brain lesion and continues to cause elevated morbidity and mortality. In typical cases of toxoplasmosis, both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging reveal single/ multiple nodular or ring-enhancing lesions with surrounding edema. Nevertheless, cases of cerebral toxoplasmosis with atypical radiological features have been reported. Diagnosis can be obtained by finding organisms in the cerebrospinal fluid or in stereotactic biopsy samples of the brain lesion. If untreated, cerebral toxoplasmosis is uniformly fatal, so prompt diagnosis is mandatory. A prompt diagnosis is necessary, as untreated cerebral toxoplasmosis is uniformly fatal. We discuss imaging and clinical findings of a patient - not aware of being HIV-positive - with a solitary atypical brain localization of toxoplasmosis mimicking a brain tumor. Although relatively uncommon, neurosurgeons should be aware of the potential occurrence of cerebral toxoplasmosis. High index of suspicion is needed for timely diagnosis and prompt initiation of therapy.

Sections du résumé

Background UNASSIGNED
Cerebral toxoplasmosis is a relatively rare disorder that usually affects immunocompromised patients. The most common scenario occurs among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients. In those patients, toxoplasmosis is the most frequent cause of expansive brain lesion and continues to cause elevated morbidity and mortality. In typical cases of toxoplasmosis, both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging reveal single/ multiple nodular or ring-enhancing lesions with surrounding edema. Nevertheless, cases of cerebral toxoplasmosis with atypical radiological features have been reported. Diagnosis can be obtained by finding organisms in the cerebrospinal fluid or in stereotactic biopsy samples of the brain lesion. If untreated, cerebral toxoplasmosis is uniformly fatal, so prompt diagnosis is mandatory. A prompt diagnosis is necessary, as untreated cerebral toxoplasmosis is uniformly fatal.
Case Description UNASSIGNED
We discuss imaging and clinical findings of a patient - not aware of being HIV-positive - with a solitary atypical brain localization of toxoplasmosis mimicking a brain tumor.
Conclusion UNASSIGNED
Although relatively uncommon, neurosurgeons should be aware of the potential occurrence of cerebral toxoplasmosis. High index of suspicion is needed for timely diagnosis and prompt initiation of therapy.

Identifiants

pubmed: 37025531
doi: 10.25259/SNI_34_2023
pii: 10.25259/SNI_34_2023
pmc: PMC10070335
doi:

Types de publication

Case Reports

Langues

eng

Pagination

82

Informations de copyright

Copyright: © 2023 Surgical Neurology International.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

There are no conflicts of interest.

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Auteurs

Giosué DiPellegrini (G)

Department of Neurosurgery, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Sassari, Via Enrico De Nicola, Sassari, Italy.

Riccardo Boccaletti (R)

Department of Neurosurgery, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Sassari, Via Enrico De Nicola, Sassari, Italy.

Anna Mingozzi (A)

Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy.

Antonella Fara (A)

Department of Anatomy and Pathological Histology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU) di Sassari, Italy.

Domenico Policicchio (D)

Department of Neurosurgery, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Sassari, Via Enrico De Nicola, Sassari, Italy.

Classifications MeSH