Calvarial tuberculosis

Surg Neurol. 2002 Mar;57(3):195-202; discussion 202-3. doi: 10.1016/s0090-3019(02)00632-8.

Abstract

Background: Calvarial tuberculosis is rare, even in areas where tuberculosis is endemic. Primary calvarial tuberculosis, with no evidence of tuberculosis elsewhere in the body is a rarer entity.

Methods: Seven cases of calvarial tuberculosis are presented. The relevant clinicoradiological features and management are discussed.

Results: Two cases of primary calvarial tuberculosis could only be diagnosed after surgery. The other cases were diagnosed with the help of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and biopsy.

Conclusion: A high index of suspicion and awareness of this condition may lead to more cases being diagnosed early. Surgery may be avoided in selected cases that can be treated primarily with antitubercular therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography
  • Skull / diagnostic imaging*
  • Skull / pathology
  • Skull / surgery*
  • Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / pathology
  • Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / therapy*