10 January 2017 : Case report
Aspergillus Terreus Brain Abscess Complicated by Tension Pneumocephalus in a Patient with Angiosarcoma
Unusual or unexpected effect of treatment, Rare coexistence of disease or pathology
Thejal Srikumar1ABEF, Smitha Pabbathi2ABCDEFG, Jorge Fernandez1AD, Sowmya Nanjappa2ABCDEFG*DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.900425
Am J Case Rep 2017; 18:33-37
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Aspergillus terreus is an evolving opportunistic pathogen, and patients with A. terreus often have poor outcomes due to its intrinsic resistance to several systemic antifungal agents. Here we present a unique case of intracranial abscesses of A. terreus in a patient with recurrent angiosarcoma, complicated by development of tension pneumocephalus.
CASE REPORT: A 67-year old gentleman with history of scalp angiosarcoma with wide excision two years prior presented to the hospital for left arm clumsiness, altered mental status, and low-grade fever. Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis bacteremia was detected, and Computed Tomography (CT) of the head showed right frontal lobe abscesses. He was started on steroids, intravenous vancomycin and cefepime, and was eventually discharged. He presented to the hospital again due to persistent and worsening symptoms. MRI showed progression of the brain lesions, and surgical biopsy and culture of lesions revealed A. terreus and gram-positive cocci. He was started on trimethroprim/sulfamethoxazole and voriconazole and symptoms improved. On post-op day four, he acutely decompensated with total loss of left arm strength; MRI demonstrated tension pneumocephalus. Conservative management was undertaken with continuous supplemental oxygen. Serial x-ray imaging over the next week demonstrated resolution of the pneumocephalus, and the patient was able to regain all proximal lower and upper extremity strength.
CONCLUSIONS: Never before has a case of A. terreus been associated with angiosarcoma or tension pneumocephalus in the literature. Proper identification and prompt diagnosis of species is crucial in the immunocompromised patient. Tension pneumocephalus should be included in the differential diagnosis of nontraumatic hemiparesis for emergent evaluation and management.
Keywords: Aspergillosis, Aspergillus, Hemangiosarcoma, Neuroaspergillosis, Pneumocephalus
In Press
14 Mar 2024 : Case report
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy with Staple-Line Oversewing in a Patient with Factor XI Deficiency: A Case ...Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942824
14 Mar 2024 : Case report
Pathogenic Potential of a PCK1 Gene Variant in Cytosolic PEPCK Deficiency: A Compelling Case StudyAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943118
14 Mar 2024 : Case report
Management of Nontraumatic Spontaneous Renal Hemorrhage (Wünderlich Syndrome) through Robotic-Assisted Lapa...Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942826
14 Mar 2024 : Case report
Simultaneous Occurrence of Collagen Type III Glomerulopathy and Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy: A Rare Case R...Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942770
Most Viewed Current Articles
07 Mar 2024 : Case report
Neurocysticercosis Presenting as Migraine in the United StatesDOI :10.12659/AJCR.943133
Am J Case Rep 2024; 25:e943133
10 Jan 2022 : Case report
A Report on the First 7 Sequential Patients Treated Within the C-Reactive Protein Apheresis in COVID (CACOV...DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935263
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935263
19 Jul 2022 : Case report
Atlantoaxial Subluxation Secondary to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Rare Orthopedic Complication from COVID-19DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936128
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936128
23 Feb 2022 : Case report
Penile Necrosis Associated with Local Intravenous Injection of CocaineDOI :10.12659/AJCR.935250
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935250