[Meningomyeloradiculitis in an immunocompetent patient]

Rev Neurol (Paris). 2010 Aug-Sep;166(8-9):741-4. doi: 10.1016/j.neurol.2010.01.006. Epub 2010 Mar 6.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Introduction: Candida infection limited to the central nervous system is extremely rare, and may be confused with tuberculosis on the grounds of the clinical and cerebrospinal fluid findings.

Case report: A 23-year-old immunocompetent drug addict presented with alternating sciatica over a period of several months, followed by multiple cranial nerve involvement in the setting of marked weight loss. The histopathologic examination of a leptomeningeal neurosurgical biopsy was required to establish the diagnosis of neuromeningeal infection with Candida albicans.

Conclusion: This case report underlines diagnostic difficulties of candidal meningitis and reviews current therapeutic recommendations.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Back Pain / etiology
  • Biopsy
  • Candida albicans / isolation & purification
  • Candidiasis / diagnosis*
  • Candidiasis / etiology
  • Central Nervous System / microbiology
  • Central Nervous System / pathology
  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / etiology
  • Dura Mater / microbiology
  • Dura Mater / pathology
  • Heroin Dependence / complications*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Fungal / diagnosis*
  • Meningitis, Fungal / etiology
  • Polyradiculopathy / diagnosis*
  • Polyradiculopathy / etiology
  • Smoking
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / complications*
  • Weight Loss
  • Young Adult