Neuroradiology - Case Report 2016

MRI findings of intramedullary spinal cryptococcoma

  • Neslihan Zehra Gültaşlı
  • Karabekir Ercan
  • Sibel Orhun
  • Serdal Albayrak

Received Date: 25.05.2005 Accepted Date: 29.05.2006 Diagn Interv Radiol 2007;13(2):64-67

Cryptococcus neoformans is a yeast that most commonly infects the central nervous system. Meningitis and meningoencephalitis are the most common presentations of cryptococcosis. Cryptococcoma, however, is a rare entity characterized by localized, solid, tumor-like masses that are usually found in the cerebral hemispheres or cerebellum, but are extremely rare in the spinal cord. We report a case of an immunocompetent patient with intramedullary cryptococcoma in the spinal cord, which presented as a spinal tumor. Diagnosis was made by histological examination of the surgical specimen.

Keywords: intramedullary cryptococcoma • cryptococcosis • magnetic resonance imaging