Cryptococcal infection presenting with lumbosacral polyradiculopathy: report of a case

Cryptococcal infection presenting primarily as lumbosacral polyradiculopathy is rare. We report on a 57-year-old man with lumbosacral polyradiculopathy, and in which a culture from the cerebrospinal fluid grew Cryptococcus neoformans. A serum cryptococcal antigen study showed a positive reaction. Biopsy specimens from the spinal nerve rootlet showed evidence of arachnoiditis and direct involvement of the nerve root by Cryptococcus neoformans. It is important to remember that localized lumbosacral polyradiculopathy can be the sole initial manifestation of cryptococcosis.