Significant pulmonary disease burden in treatment resistant disseminated cryptococcal infection: A case report

• Main Authors: Viswanathan Shanthakumar, Shanthi, Tai, Mei Ling Sharon, Rais Sanusi, Abdul, Sivalingam, Sivakumar, Zakai, Saad Bader
• Format: Article
• Published: Springer Verlag 2017
• Subjects: R Medicine
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/22842/; https://doi.org/10.1007/s12055-017-0545-7

Cryptococcus neoformans causes severe disseminated infection in immunocompromised individuals. We report a case of an immunocompetent adult male who presented with treatment-resistant central nervous system manifestations and significant pulmonary disease burden. Hematology and lumbar puncture were positive, aided by computerized tomography-guided histological confirmation. Despite medical therapy, there was inadequate resolution, and surgical resection was performed. On follow-up, investigations showed complete resolution, and the patient has remained disease-free at 5 years. This highlights the importance of looking for other sites in resistant cryptococcal meningitis and the value of cardiothoracic intervention for slowly resolving pulmonary cryptococcomas.