Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0026918 (Mycobacterium)
 52,428 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We present a 74-year-old male ex-smoker presenting with a 6-week history of personality change, confusion and headache. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple supratentorial and infratentorial parenchymal masses, predominately in the frontal and parietal lobe white matter. A thin enhancing halo was demonstrated with central low signal intensity on T(1)-and T(2)-weighted imaging compatible with calcification. A tiny extra-axial lesion was also noted near the right cerebellopontine angle. Computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed the finding of a 'target' lesion with a central core of calcification and a ring of enhancement. The 'target sign' of intracerebral tuberculomata was first described in 1979 and reported to be pathognomic for this diagnosis in 1988. However, cerebral tuberculosis was considered unlikely clinically because the patient had recently completed a 12-month course of therapy for Mycobacterium avium complex respiratory infection with agents also active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. He was afebrile and blood tests did not support an inflammatory process. Subsequent histopathology demonstrated metastatic papillary adenocarcinoma and immunohistochemical studies revealed the origin to be that of primary lung carcinoma. A spiculated pulmonary nodule was seen on CT scan but previous bronchoscopy failed to demonstrate malignant cells. In summary, the 'target sign' is a non-specific radiologic finding but most commonly indicates cerebral tuberculoma or metastatic adenocarcinoma in the appropriate clinical context.
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PMID:Metastatic adenocarcinoma mimicking 'target sign' of cerebral tuberculosis. 1708 1

Tuberculosis (TB) is the most prevalent infectious disease in the world. In recent years there has been a significant increase in the incidence of TB due to the emergence of multidrug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) and the increased numbers of highly susceptible immuno-compromised individuals. Central nervous system TB, includes TB meningitis (TBM-the most common presentation), intracranial tuberculomas, and spinal tuberculous arachnoiditis. Individuals with TBM have an initial phase of malaise, headache, fever, or personality change, followed by protracted headache, stroke, meningismus, vomiting, confusion, and focal neurologic findings in two to three weeks. If untreated, mental status deteriorates into stupor or coma. Delay in the treatment of TBM results in, either death or substantial neurological morbidity. This review provides latest developments in the biomedical research on TB meningitis mainly in the areas of host immune responses, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease.
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PMID:Analysis of Tuberculosis Meningitis Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment. 3293 8