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Case Reports
. 2000 Dec;2(4):201-6.
doi: 10.1053/jfms.2000.0096.

Cerebral cryptococcal granuloma in a cat

S F Foster  1 , J A Charles, G Parker, M Krockenberger, R M Churcher, R Malik
Affiliations
Case Reports

Cerebral cryptococcal granuloma in a cat

S F Foster et al. J Feline Med Surg. 2000 Dec.

Corrected and republished in

  • Cerebral cryptococcal granuloma in a cat.
    Foster SF, Charles JA, Parker G, Krockenberger M, Churcher RM, Malik R. Foster SF, et al. J Feline Med Surg. 2001 Mar;3(1):39-44. doi: 10.1053/jfms.2000.0112. J Feline Med Surg. 2001. PMID: 11724013 Free PMC article.

Abstract

A 7-year-old cat was presented for seizures. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology and serology were consistent with a diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. The cat was treated with clindamycin but seizures continued and additional neurological signs developed over 6 months. A mass lesion was identified in the left cerebral hemisphere using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The lesion enhanced after gadolidium and a tumour was considered likely. Histologically, the lesion proved to be a cryptococcal granuloma and retrospective serology confirmed that the cat had cryptococcosis at its initial presentation. This report provides the first description in the veterinary literature of the MRI appearance of a cerebral cryptococcoma and emphasises the importance of performing cryptococcal antigen determination in cats with signs of intracranial disease.

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
Transverse (a) and dorsal (b) SPGR images (50/12/45°) showing the hypo-intense lesion with mass effect compressing the lateral ventricle and producing subfalcine and descending transtentorial herniation.
Fig 2.
Fig 2.
Transverse (axial) FSE T2-weighted image (4000/110:TR/TC) showing a lobulated mass lesion in the left hemisphere with marked surrounding oedema and central fluid accumulation. There is a severe mass effect with subfalcine herniation.
Fig 3.
Fig 3.
Transverse (axial) SPGR contrast enhanced T1-weighted image (50/12/45°) at the same level as Fig 1. There is enhancement in the subcortical white matter at the margin of the central fluid density cavity producing a striking lobulated appearance to the lesion.
Fig 4.
Fig 4.
Transverse section of the brain at the level of the third ventricle and optic tract. Enlargement, distortion and grey discolouration of grey and white matter of the left parietal cortex and left dorsolateral thalamus, with compression of the left lateral ventricle and right displacement of midline structures. Marked expansion of the corona radiata, internal capsule, corpus striatum and lateral thalamus due to reactive oedema and gliosis is evident.
Fig 5.
Fig 5.
Left dorsal cerebral cortex. Aggregates of cryptococcal yeasts surrounded by clear halos representing polysaccharide capsules, with infiltrating neutrophils. Central arrow demonstrates narrow-based budding of a yeast. (Haematoxylin and eosin, magnification × 230).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Glass E, deLahunta A, Kent M, Kapatkin A, Joseph R. (1996) A cryptococcal granuloma in the brain of a cat causing focal signs. Progress in Veterinary Neurology 7, 141–144.

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