Case Report: combined surgical and pharmacological management of basal ganglia cryptococcal meningoencephalitis

IntroductionCryptococcal meningoencephalitis involving the basal ganglia is exceedingly rare and poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to its tumor-mimicking presentation. This case underscores the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach integrating surgical intervention and targeted ant...

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Main Authors: Xiao-Yu Zheng, Ping Chen, Dong-Yue Li, Ke-En Chen, Jian-Cheng Liao, Meng-Hui Li, Mao-Ying Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1601269/full
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author Xiao-Yu Zheng
Ping Chen
Dong-Yue Li
Ke-En Chen
Jian-Cheng Liao
Meng-Hui Li
Mao-Ying Zhang
author_facet Xiao-Yu Zheng
Ping Chen
Dong-Yue Li
Ke-En Chen
Jian-Cheng Liao
Meng-Hui Li
Mao-Ying Zhang
author_sort Xiao-Yu Zheng
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionCryptococcal meningoencephalitis involving the basal ganglia is exceedingly rare and poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to its tumor-mimicking presentation. This case underscores the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach integrating surgical intervention and targeted antifungal therapy.Case presentationA 47-years-old immunocompetent female presented with progressive headache and left-sided hemiparesis. Neuroimaging identified a basal ganglia mass initially misdiagnosed as a neoplastic lesion.InterventionsSurgical resection under neuroelectrophysiological monitoring was combined with amphotericin B, flucytosine, and fluconazole.OutcomesComplete lesion excision, symptom resolution, and mild memory deficits at 4-years follow-up.LessonsCombined therapy is pivotal for CM with parenchymal involvement; early surgery may mitigate irreversible neurological sequelae.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Medicine
spelling doaj-art-4f43d2432e194983abfc5e38f8e591cf2025-08-20T02:57:16ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medicine2296-858X2025-08-011210.3389/fmed.2025.16012691601269Case Report: combined surgical and pharmacological management of basal ganglia cryptococcal meningoencephalitisXiao-Yu Zheng0Ping Chen1Dong-Yue Li2Ke-En Chen3Jian-Cheng Liao4Meng-Hui Li5Mao-Ying Zhang6Department of Intensive-Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Intensive-Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Intensive-Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, ChinaIntroductionCryptococcal meningoencephalitis involving the basal ganglia is exceedingly rare and poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to its tumor-mimicking presentation. This case underscores the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach integrating surgical intervention and targeted antifungal therapy.Case presentationA 47-years-old immunocompetent female presented with progressive headache and left-sided hemiparesis. Neuroimaging identified a basal ganglia mass initially misdiagnosed as a neoplastic lesion.InterventionsSurgical resection under neuroelectrophysiological monitoring was combined with amphotericin B, flucytosine, and fluconazole.OutcomesComplete lesion excision, symptom resolution, and mild memory deficits at 4-years follow-up.LessonsCombined therapy is pivotal for CM with parenchymal involvement; early surgery may mitigate irreversible neurological sequelae.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1601269/fullcryptococcal meningoencephalitisbasal gangliacombined therapycase reportneurosurgical intervention
spellingShingle Xiao-Yu Zheng
Ping Chen
Dong-Yue Li
Ke-En Chen
Jian-Cheng Liao
Meng-Hui Li
Mao-Ying Zhang
Case Report: combined surgical and pharmacological management of basal ganglia cryptococcal meningoencephalitis
Frontiers in Medicine
cryptococcal meningoencephalitis
basal ganglia
combined therapy
case report
neurosurgical intervention
title Case Report: combined surgical and pharmacological management of basal ganglia cryptococcal meningoencephalitis
title_full Case Report: combined surgical and pharmacological management of basal ganglia cryptococcal meningoencephalitis
title_fullStr Case Report: combined surgical and pharmacological management of basal ganglia cryptococcal meningoencephalitis
title_full_unstemmed Case Report: combined surgical and pharmacological management of basal ganglia cryptococcal meningoencephalitis
title_short Case Report: combined surgical and pharmacological management of basal ganglia cryptococcal meningoencephalitis
title_sort case report combined surgical and pharmacological management of basal ganglia cryptococcal meningoencephalitis
topic cryptococcal meningoencephalitis
basal ganglia
combined therapy
case report
neurosurgical intervention
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1601269/full
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