TUBERCULOMA OF THE BRAIN

Abstract

Despite the frequency with which tuberculosis attacks the brain, only a small percentage of tumors of the brain disclosed at operation in modern neurosurgical clinics prove to be tuberculomas. Whereas older authors regarded tuberculoma as one of the most common types of cerebral tumor, more modern reports indicate a steadily decreasing incidence, until at present tuberculomas constitute 2 per cent or less of verified tumors of the brain.¹Several factors have played a role in this reduction. Most important have been the lowered incidence and better treatment of tuberculosis as a disease. Further, there has been a tendency to segregate tuberculous patients in special hospitals and clinics. Finally, there has been prevalent a pessimistic attitude regarding the applicability of surgical measures in the treatment of tuberculoma of the brain, which has doubtless led many surgeons to avoid operating when tuberculoma was suspected. It has seemed worth while to review