Epidural mass due to aspergillus flavus causing spinal cord compression--a case report and brief update
U Tendolkar1, A Sharma, M Mathur
1Department of Microbiology, LTM medical College and LTM General Hospital, Sion, Mumbai - 400 002, India. utendolkar20@yahoo.co.in
Abstract:
Aspergillus infection of the central nervous system (CNS) is an uncommon disease. Most of the reported cases are of sinocranial spread and cases with contiguous spread to spinal cord from lung and other organs are uncommon. A case of pulmonary aspergillosis with extension to thoracic vertebrae forming a paraspinal mass resulting in neurological deficit due to Aspergillus flavus, is reported. The 43 year old patient did not have any obvious predisposing condition. He presented with loss of motor function and succumbed to the infection despite operative intervention and antifungal therapy. A brief update on CNS aspergillosis is presented along with detailed clinical, radiological and laboratory work up of the patient.
Insights
Central nervous system (CNS) aspergillosis is rare, especially spinal cord involvement. This case highlights a fatal pulmonary Aspergillus flavus infection spreading contiguously to the thoracic spine, causing neurological deficit.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Mycology
Background:
- Aspergillus infection of the central nervous system (CNS) is rare.
- Sinocranial spread is the most common route, while contiguous spread to the spinal cord is uncommon.
Observation:
- A case of pulmonary aspergillosis with contiguous spread to the thoracic vertebrae, forming a paraspinal mass, is reported.
- The 43-year-old patient presented with motor function loss and had no apparent predisposing conditions.
Findings:
- The patient succumbed to the Aspergillus flavus infection despite surgical intervention and antifungal treatment.
- Detailed clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings of this rare CNS aspergillosis case are presented.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for contiguous spread of pulmonary aspergillosis to the spinal cord.
- It highlights the challenges in managing invasive aspergillosis with neurological compromise, even in immunocompetent individuals.
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