Tuberculosis is a disease caused by a bacteria named Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb). It is estimated by World Health Organization (WHO) that nearly a quarter of the world’s population is infected. Tuberculoma of the brain is one of the most severe extrapulmonary forms that affects patients younger than 40 years of age. Brain parenchymal tuberculoma develops in nearly one of 300 non-treated cases of pulmonary tuberculosis cases. In endemic regions, tuberculomas account for as many as 50% of all intracranial masses. Tuberculoma results in a hematogenous spread of M. tb from an extracranial source. Tuberculomas can mimic a variety of diseases and can present themselves in a subacute or chronic course, from asymptomatic to severe intracranial hypertension. Diagnosis is based on computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies with a similar ring-enhancing lesion. Treatment is primarily medical, and the duration for brain tuberculoma can vary from six to 36 months. In certain cases, surgery is recommended.

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a cerebrovascular disease of unknown etiology characterized by stenotic and occlusive arterial changes of the anterior circulation, with subsequent proliferative development of arterial collateralization. In spite of there being limited understanding of the clear etiology of MMD, surgical revascularization for MMD is considered the standard treatment to prevent further stroke. While the use of surgical revascularization to prevent future hemorrhagic stroke in MMD is still controversial, it is considered effective in the case of ischemic stroke. This article presents a review of the current surgical management of MMD based on an analysis of the most recent data from peer-reviewed articles and opinion based on personal experience with surgical revascularization in the treatment of MMD.

Presently, at least 60 million people are suffering from epilepsy worldwide. Although multiple pharmacological options for treatment exist, about 30% to 40% of these patients are estimated to have drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), which is associated with severe disability and morbidity. The surgical treatment options are restricted to either open surgical procedures or laser ablations. When a resective option is not favorable, then neuromodulation options such as vagal nerve stimulation and deep brain stimulation are considered. A relatively recent and more commonly used clinical application is the deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the anterior thalamic nucleus, FDA approval for which was obtained in 2018. Furthermore, new technological advances in DBS technology are expected to positively impact the treatment options of these patients.

Pineal tumors are very uncommon intracranial lesions, and endodermal cysts in this location are extremely rare.A 49-year-old right-handed female presented with 3 weeks history of progressive dizziness and imbalance. Imaging studies showed 1.8 cm × 1.7 cm × 1.8 cm pineal lesion with small enhancing mural component displacing ventrally the quadrigeminal plate and narrowing of aqueduct of Sylvius without hydrocephalus. In addition, she was found with small interhemispheric lipoma, and small posterior falx possible meningioma. Cerebrospinal fluid markers obtained by lumbar puncture were all negative. She underwent tumor resection, and final pathology reported endodermal cyst. No new deficits were encountered, and her gait imbalance improved significantly by 3 months follow-up.With evidence of enlargement or symptomatic pineal lesions, surgical consideration is necessary. Among pineal lesions, endodermal cysts are extremely uncommon and although benign pathology, long-term follow-up is advised due to unknown chronic behavior.