Neurobrucellosis presenting as an infected cerebellopontine cistern epidermoid cyst

Br J Neurosurg. 2024 Jul 5:1-4. doi: 10.1080/02688697.2024.2367124. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Neurobrucellosis is a rare complication of brucella infection which presents as meningitis, meningoencephalitis, subdural empyema, brain abscess, myelitis, and radiculo- neuritis. We report the first case of neurobrucellosis presenting as an infected cerebellopontine cistern epidermoid cyst in a young immunocompetent male who presented with fever and acute raised intracranial pressure. MRI brain showed an extra-axial mass in the right cerebellopontine angle cistern with peripheral rim enhancement and diffusion restriction. Emergency surgery unveiled a well-encapsulated lesion containing thick pus and keratinous material, confirming an infected epidermoid cyst. Intriguingly, the culture revealed Brucella infection, but the source of the infection remained unclear.

Keywords: Cerebellopontine (CP) angle cistern; epidermoid cyst; neurobrucellosis, immunocompetent.