[Subacute meningoradiculomyeloencephalitis due to cryptococcosis infection]

Abstract

Introduction: If meningoencephalitis with or without mass lesion (granuloma or abscess) is the most common pattern of CNS cryptococcal infection, intramedullary involvement is very uncommon.

Exegesis: The authors report an 70-year-old male with Hodgkin's disease treated by chemotherapy then corticosteroids because of pulmonary fibrosis who was presenting for eight days ago, an ataxia, pyramidal syndrome, and bradypsychy. Spinal MRI revealed a gadolinium T1 weighted homogeneous enhancing T4 level intramedullary lesion. CSF had showed 190 GB/mm3 of lymphomonocytes, increased protein level (2.28 g/l), decreased glucose level (1.5 mmol/l) and positivity for crytococcal antigen. Treatment by amphotericine B and flucytosine then fluconazole for six months was instituted and symptoms gradually improved.

Conclusion: A cryptococcus infection must be searched by antigen in CSF in case of myelopathy isolated or associated with meningoradiculoencephalomyelopathy, specially in patients with a cellular immunodeficience. Antimycotic agents must be firstly used, surgery would be restricted to decompression if aggravation of disease and compressive effect on the adjacent structures radiologically (MRI) became evident. Prolonged treatment is necessary in case of immunodeficience.