[MR imaging of a case of cerebral tuberculoma--correlation between MRI and histological findings]

A case of cerebral tuberculoma is reported with its representative MRI findings and the corresponding histological appearance. A 46-year-old female admitted to our hospital with complaint of left hemifacial seizure. CT scan discoled a slightly high density tumor (1.5cm in diameter) located in the right frontal lobe. This tumor was enhanced homogeneously by contrast media. While, MRI revealed three concentric layers within this tumor; the central core showed iso- and low signal intensity (SI) in T1- and T2-weighted imagings (T2WI), respectively. The middle layer showed low and high SI in T1- and T2-WI, respectively. The outer layer appeared iso- and low SI in T1- and T2-WI, respectively. Only the middle layer was enhanced by Gd-DTPA. The total resection of the tumor was performed. The histological appearance corresponded well to those MRI findings. The central core was caseous necrosis, and the middle layer contained Langhans giant cells and epithelioid cells with substantial edema. The outer layer was the capsule that consisted of collagenous fibers. The peculiar relationship between the MRI and histological findings is discussed in detail.