[Paraparesis and fever in a Tunisian woman: cryptococcal spondylitis with spinal involvement]

Cryptococcus neoformans is a ubiquitous yeast that causes opportunistic infections mainly involving the central nervous system. Cryptococcoma is a rare entity characterized by a solid, tumor-like mass that is usually located in the cerebral hemispheres or cerebellum. Spinal involvement is rare with only 6 cases reported in literature. Bony involvement is also a rare occurrence that has been observed in only 5 to 10% of reported cases of infection by Cryptococcus neofomans. The purpose of this report is to describe a case of paraplegia due to cryptococcal spondylitis with spinal cord involvement in an HIV-seronegative patient with a history of systemic sarcoidosis. Diagnosis was achieved by histological examination of the surgical specimen.