Mycobacterial spindle cell pseudotumor of the brain: a case report and review of the literature

Am J Surg Pathol. 1999 Oct;23(10):1294-9. doi: 10.1097/00000478-199910000-00017.

Abstract

Spindle cell pseudotumors found in the skin, lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen, lungs, and retroperitoneum have been reported recently in immunosuppressed patients, including those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The authors report a similar lesion limited to the brain in a 38-year-old human immunodeficiency virus-negative man receiving steroid therapy for treatment of sarcoidosis. Histopathologically the lesions were composed of spindle and epithelioid histiocytes, small foci of necrosis, and numerous acid-fast bacilli. The acid-fast bacilli were determined by culture and polymerase chain reaction to be Mycobacterium avium intracellulare. Because of the uncommon histologic appearance of this lesion and the potential for treatment if recognized, mycobacterial spindle cell pseudotumors should be included in the differential diagnosis of spindle cell lesions in the brain in immunosuppressed patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / microbiology
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections / pathology*
  • DNA, Bacterial / analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Mycobacterium avium Complex / genetics
  • Mycobacterium avium Complex / isolation & purification*
  • Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / diagnostic imaging
  • Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / microbiology
  • Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / pathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • DNA, Bacterial