Serial MRI findings in patients with CNS cryptococcosis.

Accession number;99A0264708
Title;Serial MRI findings in patients with CNS cryptococcosis.
Author; KUMAZAWA KAZUHIKO (Aichi Med. Univ.) YAMADA TOMOKO (Aichi Med. Univ.) NAKAMORI TARO (Aichi Med. Univ.) HOSHINO AKIRA (Aichi Med. Univ.) TERAO SHIN'ICHI (Aichi Med. Univ.) MITSUMA TERUNORI (Aichi Med. Univ.)
Journal Title;Clinical Neurology
Journal Code:Z0689A
ISSN:0009-918X
VOL.38;NO.9;PAGE.831-837(1998)
Figure&Table&Reference;FIG.7, REF.10
Pub. Country;Japan
Language;Japanese
Abstract;We reported the serial magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) findings of two patients with central nervous system(CNS) cryptococcal infection without AIDS. The diagnosis of CNS cryptococcosis was made by visualizing the fungi in the CSF with the India ink test, detecting cryptococcal antigens, and culturing the fungus. Both patients had dilated perivascular Virchow-Robin(V-R) spaces, which were defined as small rounded lesions greater less than 3mm diameter that were hyperintense on T2-weighted images. They were present in the basal ganglia, brainstem and cerebral white matter. Case 1 had bilateral parietal arachnoid cyst which was thought to represent a focal collection of organisms and mucoid material within subarachnoid space. Abnormal optochiasmatic arachnoid enhancement detected in case 2, who had complete loss of vision. With disease progression perivascular V-R increased in size, resulting in the developing cryptococomas, which were defined as rounded lesions greater than 3mm diameter, and were hyperintense on T2-weighted images in the basal ganglia, cerebellum and cerebral white matter. In follow-up MRI of those patients, radiological progression was seen despite appropriate treatment and falling CSF cryptococcal antigens. In conclusion, this spectrum of MRI appearances in CNS cryptococcosis reflects the pathological mechanism of invasion by the fungus, and may be relatively specific for cryptoccosis. (author abst.)
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