Magnetic resonance features of intracranial tuberculosis in children

Abstract

Intracranial tuberculosis in children is seen as either parenchymal tuberculous lesions or tuberculous meningitis (TBM). This article demonstrates the MR features of TBM and the two varieties of tuberculous (TB) granulomata. Gummatous granulomata (tuberculomata) comprise 90% of presenting intracranial TB lesions. They have a characteristic low signal on T2-weighted sequences that differentiates them from other commonly encountered ring-enhancing lesions such as neurocysticerci. TB abscesses are very rare and have the same features as pyogenic abscesses. Features of TBM include hydrocephalus, basal meningeal enhancement and basal ganglia infarctions.