TUBERCULOUS ABSCESS ON THE CEREBELLUM

Cerebral tuberculous abscess is exceptional. We report on the case of a H.I.V. positive 29 year-old man suffering from high intracranial pre ssure together with a cerebellar syndrome. The CT scan revealed a volu minous abscess of the left cerebellar hemisphere. Anatomical and patho logical examination of the extracted mass showed a tuberculous abscess . 16 months after surgery and antituberculous treatment, the patient's symptoms have disappeared and he has resumed his professional activit ies. Though controversial, a pathogenic continuum between a tuberculom a and a tuberculous abscess may be assumed to exist. The A.I.D.S. pand emia reactivates the tuberculous foci, increases the risks of contagio n reduced the effectiveness of treatment, and justifies a systematic s earch for the bacillus of Koch, after puncture, in any cerebral absces s.