Encephalomyelitis due to Cryptococcus neoformans var gattii presenting as spinal tumour: case report and review of the literature
- aDepartment of Neurology, Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Humboldt-University, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany, bDepartment of Mycology, Robert-Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany, cDepartment of Radiology, Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany
- Dr P Grossepascal.grosse{at}charite.de
- Received 10 January 2000
- Revised 5 May 2000
- Accepted 27 June 2000
Abstract
A 24 year old immunocompetent German resident is described who developed multifocal encephalomyelitis due to infection withCryptococcus neoformans vargatti, commonly considered a disease of tropical regions. In the light of current knowlege on the epidemiology of C neoformans var gatti and the travel history of the patient it is assumed that the infection was aquired outside Europe. As exclusive intramedullary involvement is an outstandingly rare manifestation in spinal cryptococcosis, the particular diagnostic procedure and the therapeutic stratagies are discussed
