disseminated cryptococcus india ink stain

The posterior aspect of the upper thoracic spinal cord showed gelatinous discoloration. Sectioning revealed collapse of both lateral ventricles with cystic areas within both basal ganglia, particularly on the left side in the head of the caudate nucleus and in the lentiform nucleus (Fig. The brain was swollen with flattening of gyri, congestion and hemorrhage in the cerebellar tonsils, and focal subarachnoid opacity due to edema fluid (Fig. The major findings were localized to the central nervous system. Although no further clinical information was available from the autopsy report he had apparently previously been quite well and working.Īt autopsy the body was that of a thin adult male. Several days later he unexpectedly had a generalized fit and died on the ward. A chest x-ray showed a discrete mass anterior to the hilum of the right lung and a lumbar puncture revealed numerous Cryptococcus neoformans organisms. On admission he had a mild fever with moderate neck stiffness but no localizing neurological signs. Three days prior to admission he had commenced vomiting. Clinical manifestations and possible findings at autopsy are reviewed.Ī 22-year-old man was admitted to hospital with a two and a half week history of generalized headache that worsened when he bent over or ran down stairs. As sudden and unexpected death is an unusual occurrence in cases of cryptococcosis in many forensic settings the following case involving an apparently immunocompetent man is reported from The University of Adelaide Pathology museum archive.

Disseminated cryptococcus india ink stain