Intracranial Mass Lesions in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Patients in the Philippines: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: Central nervous system involvement is commonly seen in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, with up to 2%-10% of patients presenting with intracranial mass lesions. The management of these lesions depends largely on their etiology and their relative frequency in the local population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with HIV and evidence of intracranial mass lesions on cranial magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography from 2007 to 2018. Demographic data, clinical features, etiology, surgical management, and outcomes were collected. RESULTS: The prevalence of intracranial mass lesions in our cohort was 2.2% (45/2032). Patients were predominantly male (98%), with a mean age at diagnosis of 28 years. The most common clinical manifestations were headache (75%), focal weakness (49%), and seizures (32%). The most common diagnoses were toxoplasmic encephalitis (51%) and tuberculosis (24%). Biopsy or excision was performed in 10% of cases, leading to a definitive diagnosis in 60% of these cases. A favorable outcome was observed in 58% of all patients at 46 months median follow-up, with adequate disease-specific treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of intracranial mass lesions in Filipino patients with HIV is 2.2%. The most common etiology was toxoplasmic encephalitis followed by tuberculosis. These findings are substantially different from other findings reported in the literature and should be considered in formulating guidelines for the Filipino population.