Nocardia Brain Abscess Mimicking Metastases in an Immunocompromised Patient

Cureus. 2021 Dec 7;13(12):e20248. doi: 10.7759/cureus.20248. eCollection 2021 Dec.

Abstract

The differential for ring-enhancing lesions of the brain is extensive, with patient characteristics, particularly immunologic status, crucial to the clinical plan. In immunocompromised patients with a single ring-enhancing lesion, aspergillosis, toxoplasmosis, and nocardial infections are considered. In the case of multiple ring-enhancing lesions, metastases often supersede opportunistic infections on the differential. We present an unusual case of multiple nocardial brain abscesses mimicking metastases in an immunocompromised patient with a history of narcolepsy.

Keywords: brain abscess; case reports; infections; intracranial mass; lung neoplasms; nocardia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports