Puerperal brain cryptococcoma in an HIV-negative woman successfully treated with fluconazole: a case report

Middle cerebral artery infarction, A rare complication of intracranial cryptococcoma in an immunocompetent patient: A case report and literature review

Background

This report presents the first case of intracranial cryptococcoma arising from the right frontal lobe causing right middle cerebral artery infarction. Intracranial cryptococcomas usually occur in the cerebral parenchyma, basal ganglia, cerebellum, pons, thalamus, and choroid plexus; they may mimic intracranial tumors, but seldom cause infarction. Of the 15 cases of pathology-confirmed intracranial cryptococcomas in the literature, no case has been complicated by middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. Here, we discuss a case of intracranial cryptococcoma with an ipsilateral middle cerebral artery infarction.

Case Description

A 40-year-old man was referred to our emergency room due to progressive headaches and acute left hemiplegia. The patient was a construction worker with no history of avian contact, recent travel, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Brain computed tomography (CT) showed an intra-axial mass, and subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) delineated a large mass of 53 mm in the right middle frontal lobe and a small lesion of 18 mm in the right caudate head, with marginal enhancement and central necrosis. A neurosurgeon was consulted in view of the intracranial lesion, and the patient underwent en-bloc excision of the solid mass. The pathology report later identified a Cryptococcus infection rather than malignancy. The patient underwent 4 weeks of postoperative treatment with amphotericin B plus flucytosine; he then received subsequent oral antifungal treatment for 6 months, and had neurologic sequelae that manifested as left side hemiplegia.

Conclusion

Diagnosis of fungal infections in the CNS remains challenging. This is especially true of Cryptococcus CNS infections that present as a space-occupying lesion in an immunocompetent patient. A Cryptococcus infection should be considered in the differential diagnoses in patients with brain mass lesions, as this infection can be misdiagnosed as a brain tumor.

Cerebral cryptococcoma successfully treated by isavuconazole in an immunocompetent patient: A case report

Cryptococcosis has been recognized as an increasing cause of severe systemic mycosis in immunocompetent patients in the last few years. Cerebral cryptococcomas are a more uncommon manifestation of cryptococcal meningitis, which are not usually included in the differential of brain masses. We report a case of a young, immunocompetent woman that rapidly developed severe neurological deficits. She was ultimately diagnosed with cerebral cryptococcoma caused by both Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii, and was treated with amphotericin B and isavuconazole. After several complications during hospitalization, including hydrocephalus and cerebellitis, she was discharged home on isavuconazole. On follow-up, she only complained of anosmia. We review the clinical and radiological findings of similar cases. It is the first time that this form of cryptococcal meningitis is favorably treated with isavuconazole and is caused by 2 species of Cryptococcus. We emphasize that cerebral cryptococcomas should be suspected in immunocompetent patients that present with brain masses.

Cerebral Cryptococcomas: A Systematic Scoping Review of Available Evidence to Facilitate Diagnosis and Treatment

Background: Recommendations for managing patients with cerebral cryptococcomas are scarce across multiple clinical guidelines. Due to the deficiency of high-quality data coupled with an increasing number of at-risk patients, the purpose of this review is to describe the demographic characteristics, causative pathogen, intracranial imaging, surgical and/or pharmacological interventions, as well as outcomes of patients with cerebral cryptococcomas to improve recognition and management. Methods: We conducted a scoping review in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines using PubMed and Web of Science. Reports were included if the following details were presented: (1) site of infection; (2) treatment details which at least include the specific antifungal therapy administered, if applicable; and (3) patient outcome. Results: A total of 40 records representing 47 individual patients were included, of which the median age was 48.5 years, 75% were male, and 60% reported a significant past medical, surgical, or social history. C. neoformans was isolated more often than C. gattii (74% vs. 26%, respectively). Patients most often presented with headache, altered mental status and/or confusion, and vomiting occurring over a median of 30 days; though few were noted to have significant findings on physical examination. More than 50% of patients had a single cerebral cryptococcoma lesion, whereas perilesional edema was present in 73% of cases. Surgical intervention occurred in 49% of patients. An amphotericin B-based formulation was administered as “induction” therapy to 91% of patients, but combined with flucytosine or fluconazole in only 58%, for an overall median of 42 days. Fifty two percent of patients received “maintenance” therapy for a median of 126 days, in which fluconazole was most often used. Corticosteroids were administered to approximately 30% of patients for a median of 31.5 days. Overall, mortality was 34%. Conclusion: Based on our findings, management should include antifungal therapy for a minimum of 6 months with considerations for concomitant corticosteroids in the setting of perilesional edema, as well as surgical intervention. Emphasis should be placed on providing well-documented treatment details in future case reports and series to allow for the development of more concise evidence-based recommendations.

Cryptococcal Meningitis in an HIV-Negative Puerperal Woman

Cryptococcal meningitis is a common opportunistic infection in HIV-infected patients and other immunocompromised people. Pregnancy, which is a state of relative immunosuppression, can also be a risk factor for the development of cryptococcal meningitis. We report a clinical case of a 41-year-old woman who developed a severe meningeal syndrome after an otherwise normal pregnancy. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytochemical analysis presented hypoglycorrhachia, high protein levels, and pleocytosis. Cryptococcal antigen tested positive in serum and CSF, and Cryptococcus neoformans was identified in the CSF culture. The diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis was confirmed, and antifungal induction therapy was started with liposomal amphotericin B and flucytosine. After clinical improvement, induction therapy was discontinued, and the patient was discharged under maintenance therapy with fluconazole. While under antifungal maintenance therapy, the patient presented worsening of symptoms and a new brain magnetic resonance showed the development of multiple cryptococcoma. Despite sterile CSF cultures, there was a deterioration of the cytochemical parameters. The diagnosis of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome was assumed, and after initiation of corticotherapy, the patient improved considerably. This is a rare case of cryptococcal meningitis in a puerperal woman with a challenging management.

Central nervous system Cryptococcoma mimicking demyelinating disease: a case report

Background

Cerebral cryptococcomas is a rare form of central nervous system cryptococcosis. Most previous cases were mistaken for neoplasm before surgery. We present a case of cerebral cryptococcomas whose radiological profiles resembled demyelinating disease, especially tumefactive demyelinating lesion.

Case presentation

A 40-year-old male was admitted for 1-week-long unconsciousness. Brain MRI revealed a rim-enhanced mass within the corpus callosum body. Central nervous system demyelinating disease was suspected. Empirical corticosteroid treatment led to some improvement, but his condition deteriorated 2 months later. Brain MRI revealed punctate new foci. Cryptococcus neoformans was detected in cerebrospinal fluid. Cryptococcus antigen test was positive in his current and previous cerebrospinal fluid samples. The patient died despite standard antifungal treatment.

Conclusion

Diagnosis of cerebral cryptococcomas is challenging. It may mimic demyelinating diseases.

The Diagnostic Challenge of an Infrequent Spectrum of Cryptococcus Infection

Cryptococcal infection results from inhalation of fungal spores and usually is confined to the lungs, but may disseminate systemically. Radiologically, cryptococcal infection has multiple forms of presentation. The diagnosis is usually based on fungal isolation from cultured clinical specimens. Long term antifungal therapy is recommended, but surgical procedures may eventually be necessary when large thoracic symptomatic masses are present. We report a case of a 41-year-old male, immunocompetent, investigating a palpable mass in the left supraclavicular region associated with unintentional weight loss over the last three months. He also reported chest pain in this period. Chest X-ray, ultrasonography, and computed tomography were performed, which diagnosed a mediastinal and left supraclavicular mass, interpreted as lymph node conglomerates of unknown etiology. He also underwent a biopsy of the left supraclavicular mass for etiological determination by histopathology, which confirmed cryptococcosis infection. Although very infrequent, mediastinal cryptococcal infection (simulating masses) is a challenging but important differential diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions, since its treatment is usually clinical.

Cryptococcoma mimicking a brain tumor in an immunocompetent patient: case report of an extremely rare presentation

CONTEXT

Central nervous system (CNS) infectious diseases have high prevalence in developing countries and their proper diagnosis and treatment are very important for public health planning. Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungus that may cause several CNS manifestations, especially in immunocompromised patients. Cryptococcal meningitis is the most common type of involvement. Mass-effect lesions are uncommon: they are described as cryptococcomas and their prevalence is even lower among immunocompetent patients. The aim here was to report an extremely rare case of cryptococcoma causing a mass effect and mimicking a brain tumor in an immunocompetent patient. The literature on CNS cryptococcal infections was reviewed with emphasis on cryptococcomas. Clinical, surgical and radiological data on a female patient with this rare presentation of cryptococcoma mimicking a brain tumor are described.

CASE REPORT

A 54-year-old female patient presented to the emergency department with a rapid-onset progressive history of confusion and completely dependency for basic activities. Neuroimaging showed a left occipital lesion and neurosurgical treatment was proposed. From histopathological evaluation, a diagnosis of cryptococcoma was established. She received clinical support with antifungals, but despite optimal clinical treatment, her condition evolved to death.

CONCLUSIONS

Cryptococcal infections have several forms of presentation and, in immunocompetent patients, their manifestation may be even more different. Cryptococcoma is an extremely rare presentation in which proper surgical and clinical treatment should be instituted as quickly as possible, but even so, there is a high mortality rate.

Intracranial Cryptococcoma-Clinicopathologic Correlation and Surgical Outcome: A Single-Institution Experience

OBJECTIVE

To describe clinical characteristics of patients with intracranial cryptococcoma, clinicopathologic findings, and outcomes after surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical data were collected from hospital case records, and pathologic confirmation was done by a neuropathologist. Clinical details, imaging features, and treatment modalities were evaluated and correlated with outcomes based on regular follow-up.

RESULTS

This case series included 5 cases of histology- and culture-proven intracranial cryptococcoma. Three patients (60%) were aged between the 3rd and 5th decades. Three cases were supratentorial in location, and 2 were in the posterior fossa. One patient presented with seizures. Three patients (60%) presented with fever. Three patients (60%) had papilledema, and 4 (80%) had signs of meningeal irritation. Four patients (80%) were immunocompetent. Only 1 patient was immunocompromised. All lesions were peripherally enhancing on computed tomography. Four of 5 patients underwent surgical decompression without any residue. Only 1 patient underwent stereotactic biopsy. All patients received antifungal therapy. One patient who was immunocompromised developed multiorgan failure and died after 2 months after surgery (20%). Of 5 cases, 4 (80%) had a good outcome with a mean follow-up of 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Cryptococcus gattii is a rarer species implicated in intracranial cryptococcoma that is seen along with the more common Cryptococcus neoformans. Early diagnosis and surgical decompression followed by intravenous amphotericin B therapy for at least 6 weeks and concomitant therapy with fluconazole for prolonged periods may reduce morbidity and mortality.

Disseminated Cryptococcosis with Marked Eosinophilia in a Postpartum Woman

Disseminated cryptococcosis usually develops in immunosuppressed patients. A 33-year-old postpartum woman developed disseminated cryptococcosis with marked eosinophilia. She presented with a cough and a week-long fever. A computed tomography scan showed multiple pulmonary nodules randomly distributed. Eosinophils were observed to have increased in number in both her peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. A transbronchial lung biopsy and cerebrospinal fluid specimens revealed findings consistent with cryptococcal infection. Disseminated cryptococcosis can present with marked eosinophilia of the peripheral blood and lung tissues. Additionally, the postpartum immune status may sometimes be involved in the development of opportunistic infections in previously healthy women.

Bacterial Meningitis Caused by Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae Capsular Genotype K54 with Development of Granuloma-like Nodal Enhancement in the Brain during the Subacute Phase

A 72-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department due to coma. The cerebrospinal fluid cell count was 40,080 cells/μL, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was detected on culture. Stretching the bacterial colonies on an agar plate showed the formation of a viscous string with a length exceeding 5 mm, indicating hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (hv-KP). A genome analysis suggested hv-KP capsular genotype K54 with sequence type 29. Although no brain abscess was detected on contrast-enhanced computed tomography on Day 4 or on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on Day 7, contrast-enhanced MRI on Day 23 showed granuloma-like nodal enhancement on the surface of the left insula. Antibacterial therapy was continued until the enhancement disappeared on Day 40. MRI may help determine the duration required for antibacterial therapy. After six months, the patient was discharged and remained free from recurrence.