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Chastain DB, Rao A, Yaseyyedi A, Henao-Martínez AF, Borges T, Franco-Paredes C. Cerebral Cryptococcomas: A Systematic Scoping Review of Available Evidence to Facilitate Diagnosis and Treatment. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11020205. [PMID: 35215148 PMCID: PMC8879191 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B. Chastain
- Department of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy, University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, Albany, GA 31701, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +229-312-2156; Fax: +229-312-2155
| | - Amy Rao
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (A.R.); (A.Y.)
| | - Armaan Yaseyyedi
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (A.R.); (A.Y.)
| | - Andrés F. Henao-Martínez
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (A.F.H.-M.); (C.F.-P.)
| | - Thomas Borges
- Department of Radiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
| | - Carlos Franco-Paredes
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (A.F.H.-M.); (C.F.-P.)
- Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
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Brunasso L, Costanzo R, Cascio A, Florena A, Sparacia G, Iacopino DG, Grasso G. Seizure in isolated brain cryptococcoma: Case report and review of the literature. Surg Neurol Int 2021; 12:153. [PMID: 33948323 PMCID: PMC8088491 DOI: 10.25259/sni_805_2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Central nervous system (CNS) cryptococcosis is an invasive fungal infection predominantly seen among immunosuppressed patients causing meningitis or meningoencephalitis. Rarely, cryptococcosis can affect immunologically competent hosts with the formation of localized CNS granulomatous reaction, known as cryptococcoma. Common symptoms of CNS cryptococcoma are headaches, consciousness or mental changes, focal deficits, and cranial nerve dysfunction. Rarely, seizures are the only presenting symptom. Case Description: We report the case of an immunocompetent patient with a solitary CNS cryptococcoma presenting with a long history of non-responsive generalized seizure who has been successfully operated. Conclusion: CNS cryptococcoma is a rare entity, and in immunocompetent patients, its diagnosis can be challenging. The pathophysiology of lesion-related seizure is discussed along with a review of the pertinent literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Brunasso
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostic, Section of Neurosurgery, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberta Costanzo
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostic, Section of Neurosurgery, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Cascio
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Ada Florena
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Pathology Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianvincenzo Sparacia
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services, and Neurology Service, Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies, Radiology Service, University of Palermo & ISMETT, Palermo, Italy
| | - Domenico Gerardo Iacopino
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostic, Section of Neurosurgery, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Grasso
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostic, Section of Neurosurgery, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Misra R, Kumar S, Sharma S. Cryptococcal granuloma of the frontal lobe in an immunocompromised HIV-negative patient. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s41984-020-00089-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Paul M, Bhatia M, Rohilla R, Sasirekha U, Kaistha N. Cryptococcosis in non-human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients: A clinical dilemma and diagnostic enigma. Indian J Med Microbiol 2020; 38:229-234. [PMID: 32883941 DOI: 10.4103/ijmm.ijmm_20_243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease with worldwide distribution and wide array of clinical manifestations, caused by encapsulated basidiomycetous yeasts called Cryptococcus spp. It has traditionally been considered an opportunistic infection known to occur in immunocompromised hosts, particularly those who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus. However, this infection has also been reported in phenotypically 'normal' or otherwise clinically non-immunocompromised patients. The seemingly mysterious nature of this potentially fatal illness has always kept clinicians and diagnosticians in a dilemma. This case series reiterates this perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manisha Paul
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Mohit Bhatia
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Ranjana Rohilla
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Udayakumar Sasirekha
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Neelam Kaistha
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
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Uppar A, Raj ARP, Konar S, Kandregula S, Shukla D, Somanna S, Devi BI, C Y, Chandrashekar N. Intracranial Cryptococcoma-Clinicopathologic Correlation and Surgical Outcome: A Single-Institution Experience. World Neurosurg 2018; 115:e349-e359. [PMID: 29678697 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.04.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 04/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alok Uppar
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - A R Prabhu Raj
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India.
| | - Subhas Konar
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Sandeep Kandregula
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Dhaval Shukla
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Sampath Somanna
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - B Indira Devi
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Yasha C
- Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Nagarathna Chandrashekar
- Department of Neuro Microbiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
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Abstract
The authors report a 12-mo-old girl with calcified cerebral cryptococcal granuloma. She was admitted with a 6-mo history of seizures. Laboratory examinations showed no abnormal findings. Electroencephalography revealed bilateral slow wave activity, greater in the right occipital region. CT showed an irregular calcified focus with small surrounding low density in the right parieto-occipital region. MRI demonstrated mixed signals without edema and visible flow-voids. The clinical symptoms mimicked intracranial vascular malformations. The diagnosis of cerebral cryptococcal granuloma was made by histopathology. Partial resection of the lesion with post-operatively antifungal and anticonvulsant therapy offered the satisfactory result. Cerebral cryptococcal granuloma is extremely rare, especially in infants. Calcification is indeed unusual. Cerebral cryptococcal granuloma should be included in the differential diagnosis of intracranial mass with calcification in infants.
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Sundaram C, Murthy JMK. Intracranial Aspergillus granuloma. PATHOLOGY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2011; 2011:157320. [PMID: 22191079 PMCID: PMC3236351 DOI: 10.4061/2011/157320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2010] [Accepted: 09/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Intracranial fungal granulomas are rare and of the histologically verified granulomas, Aspergillus spp. is the commonest causative fungal pathogen. Most of the reported large series of aspergillus granulomas are from countries with temperate climate like India, Pakistan, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia. In contrast to disseminated aspergillosis that occurs in immunosuppressed individuals, most of the intracranial aspergillus granulomas are reported in immunocompetent individuals. The temperature, humidity, high spore content in the atmosphere during ploughing, and occupation as agricultural worker are implicated in the pathogenesis. The sinocranial spread is the most common route of intracranial extension. Extracerebral firm fibrotic lesions and skull base lesions are common. Extensive fibrosis and large number of multinucleated giant cells are the characteristic histological features and these pathological features have therapeutic relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sundaram
- Department of Pathology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Panjagutta, Hyderabad 500 081, India
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Li Q, You C, Liu Q, Liu Y. Central nervous system cryptococcoma in immunocompetent patients: a short review illustrated by a new case. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2010; 152:129-36. [PMID: 19404577 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-009-0311-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2008] [Accepted: 03/31/2009] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cryptococcal infection in CNS is frequently seen in HIV patients and those with other immunosuppressed conditions. However, cryptococcal granuloma in CNS in immunocompetent patient is rare. We present one new case of cryptococcoma and review literature to illustrate diagnosis and treatment of these lesions. METHODS We conducted literature search in Pubmed search engine of the National Center for Biotechnology Information. RESULTS Seventeen cases of CNS cryptoccoma in immunocompetent patients, including ours, have been reported to date. Of them, two patients had lesions inside spinal cord, and C. neoformans var. gattii was identified in three cases. All patients were symptomatic with normal immunocompetency although two patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus and one had torsades de pointes. Eight patients received surgical treatment and all were given antifungal agents except one suspected of teniasis. CONCLUSIONS With literature reports and our experiences, we suggest that ring shaped enhancement of mass lesion with or without cystic changes in MR scan may indicate cryptococcoma, but definitive diagnosis relies on pathology study of lesion specimen. Open surgery and anti-fungal therapy should be scheduled, and outcome of cryptococcoma is largely determined by its locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People's Republic of China
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Gologorsky Y, DeLaMora P, Souweidane MM, Greenfield JP. Cerebellar cryptococcoma in an immunocompetent child. Case report. J Neurosurg 2007; 107:314-7. [PMID: 17941497 DOI: 10.3171/ped-07/10/314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
This is the first report of a cerebellar cryptococcoma in a previously healthy, HIV-negative child. Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungus that typically affects patients who are HIV-positive and other patients with compromised immune systems. Isolated cryptococcomas of the central nervous system (CNS) have been previously described in immunocompetent adults; however, this is the first report of a cryptococcoma in a child. The patient presented with progressive headaches and nausea and was found to have a large cerebellar hemispheric mass. The patient underwent excision of the mass, and analysis of frozen sections suggested the presence of an astrocytic tumor with pilocytic features; therefore gross-total resection was performed. Once the definitive diagnosis of a cryptococcal abscess was obtained, medical treatment with antifungal medications led to the resolution of all symptoms and the normalization of serum titers. Cryptococcoma is a rare cause of ring enhancing lesions in the cerebellum, even in apparently immunocompetent patients. The authors' experience with this case and the patient's postoperative care lead them to advocate resection of large isolated cryptococcomas of the CNS, especially those situated in the posterior fossa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yakov Gologorsky
- Department of Neurosurgery, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York 10021, USA
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Abstract
"Inflammatory pseudotumors" (IPTs) embrace a heterogeneous spectrum of reactive, infective, and neoplastic entities, that are characterized by a clinical mass composed of a histologic proliferation of spindle cells in a background of inflammatory cells and collagen fibers. Although a spectrum of microorganisms have been identified in infective IPTs, mycobacterial infective IPTs are reported most commonly. We document 5 solitary cryptococcal IPTs, in 2 males and 3 females, aged 19 to 43 years, in the soft tissues of the anterior chest wall, thigh, and arm. All were HIV-positive and had been treated for disseminated cutaneous and/or meningeal cryptococcosis with antifungal therapy, 6 to 12 months earlier. The specimens demonstrated a storiform arrangement of plump spindle cells, in addition to spindle and polygonal cells that were arranged in a haphazard manner. Background lymphocytes, plasma cells, and fibrosis were noted, in addition to scattered giant cells and focal necrosis. On high-power examination, Cryptococcus neoformans yeasts were identified within and between vacuolated spindle and polygonal cells on routine and special stains, confirming cryptococcal IPTs. Immunophenotyping of the spindle cells confirmed a mixed histiocytic and myofibroblastic lineage, with a predominance of the former. In documenting 5, hitherto unreported, pseudotumoral spindle cell reactions to C. neoformans, we not only highlight the need for intense appraisal of all IPTs for infective agents on routine and special stains and investigations, but also postulate that a complex host-fungus interaction, coupled with an exuberant, myofibroblastic response to incomplete therapy, are the pathogenetic drive for the pseudotumoral presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yetish Sing
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal and National Health Laboratory Service, Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
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Gologorsky Y, Delamora P, Souweidane MM, Greenfield JP. Cerebellar cryptococcoma in an immunocompetent child. J Neurosurg 2007. [DOI: 10.3171/ped.2007.107.4.314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Tebben PJ, Atkinson JLD, Scheithauer BW, Erickson D. Granulomatous Adenohypophysitis after Interferon and Ribavirin Therapy. Endocr Pract 2007; 13:169-75. [PMID: 17490932 DOI: 10.4158/ep.13.2.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe a case of granulomatous hypophysitis occurring after treatment with interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin for hepatitis C. METHODS Clinical, radiologic, laboratory, and pathologic assessments of a woman with granulomatous hypophysitis and interferon-induced thyroiditis are presented. RESULTS A 42-year-old woman with hepatitis C was treated with interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin for 5 months. She was referred after symptoms of thyrotoxicosis developed, in conjunction with laboratory and radiographic evidence of thyroiditis. During the initial evaluation, she was weak and hypotensive; biochemical evaluation showed undetectable plasma cortisol and corticotropin concentrations. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed diffuse enlargement of the pituitary gland, which encroached on but did not compress the optic chiasm. Treatment with supraphysiologic doses of prednisone resulted in clinical and radiographic improvement. Once physiologic doses of glucocorticoids were instituted, however, follow-up magnetic resonance imaging showed substantial progression of the diffuse pituitary enlargement and mild compression of the optic chiasm. Surgical debulking of the mass and histologic evaluation showed chronic, noncaseating granulomatous hypophysitis. An extensive evaluation for secondary causes of granulomatous inflammation of the pituitary revealed only an elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme level; no organisms were identified. After 2 courses of high-dose glucocorticoids, she had radiographic evidence of decreased size of the pituitary lesion but continued to have multiple anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies. CONCLUSION Granulomatous hypophysitis and sarcoidosis of the pituitary are rare disorders. Hypophysitis should be considered in patients receiving interferon and ribavirin therapy who have symptoms consistent with pituitary dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Tebben
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA
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