Journal List > J Korean Foot Ankle Soc > v.23(2) > 1127156

Lee, Suh, Kim, and Choi: Sural Nerve Tuberculoma: A Case Report

Abstract

Nearly one third of the world's population have active or latent tuberculosis, resulting in 1.5 million deaths annually. Tuberculosis involving the peripheral nerve is difficult to detect. Sural nerve tuberculoma is an extremely rare case of tuberculous involvement of the peripheral nerve that has attracted the attention of physicians. This paper reports a patient with sural nerve tuberculoma. A 58-year-old female patient presented with a palpable mass on the posterolateral calf with progressive tingling sensation on the distal area. The patient had no history of trauma and it was unclear whether the patient had any contact with individuals with active tuberculosis. The histopathologic findings revealed a granuloma-like lesion with caseous necrosis that was compatible with tuberculoma.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1

A 2×4 cm2 sized, fixed, tender mass on the posterolateral aspect of right calf was noted.

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Figure 2

Fusiform dilatation of the sural nerve was seen. Low signal intensity on T1-weighted sagittal (arrow; A) and axial (B) images and intermediate to high signal intensity on T2-weighted sagittal (arrow; C) and axial (D) images were shown on magnetic resonance imaging.

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Figure 3

(A) During the operation, an enlarged and hardened sural nerve was note. (B) Since the proximal and distal borders of the mass were not clearly distinguished, the mass was removed sufficiently include the normal nerve fiber (1.0×7.5×0.5 cm3). P: proximal, D: distal.

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Figure 4

(A) On histopathological examination, granulomatous inflammation which peripheral inflammation cells (i.e., macrophages and epithelioid cells) surrounded the caseous necrosis was seen (H&E stain, ×40). (B) Horseshoe-shaped Langhans giant was also detected among granulomas (H&E stain, ×200).

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Notes

Financial support None.

Conflict of interest None.

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Jun Young Choi
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3864-9521

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