TB Research

Cerebellar Tuberculoma as a Rare Manifestation of Central Nervous System Tuberculosis: Literature Review and Clinical Case

Анна Старшинова, Irina Dovgalyuk, Anastasia Kulpina, Dmitry Kudlay, Olga Rasmologova, Л. Б. Митрофанова

Diagnostics · 2026-04

Abstract

Central nervous system tuberculosis (CNS-TB) is a severe extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis associated with high morbidity and mortality, particularly in children. While tuberculous meningitis remains the predominant form, focal parenchymal lesions such as tuberculomas and abscesses are less common. Cerebellar tuberculomas represent an exceptionally rare localization and may mimic posterior fossa tumors, leading to diagnostic delay. This article provides an updated review of CNS tuberculosis with special emphasis on pediatric epidemiology and cerebellar involvement, and presents a clinical case of surgically treated cerebellar tuberculoma. This clinical case demonstrates the difficulties in differential diagnosis of cerebellar tuberculosis from a tumor in this location.

MeSH terms

  • Tuberculoma
  • Medicine
  • Central nervous system
  • Tuberculosis
  • Differential diagnosis
  • Pathology
  • Meningitis
  • Extrapulmonary tuberculosis
  • Parenchyma
  • Central nervous system disease
  • Cerebellar ataxia
  • Cerebellar diseases
  • Cerebellum
  • Epidemiology
  • Tuberculous meningitis
  • Posterior cranial fossa