Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis--could early diagnosis have saved the patient?

Cladophialophora bantiana brain abscess is a rare and frequently fatal infection, often seen in immunocompetent individuals. 34 year old immunocompetent woman who presented with convulsions is reported. She was initially treated with antituberculous drug. During 15 days of treatment, she deteriorated. Hence she underwent craniotomy, which revealed brain abscesses due to C. bantiana. Subsequently she was treated with fluconazole , but eventually succumbed to the infection on the 7th day of treatment. Mortality remains high with this rare mycosis, even in immunocompetent patients. The case illustrates the clinical and radiological similarities between tuberculoma and other etiologies of brain abscesses. This emphasizes the need to perform histological and microbiological studies prior to the initiation of any form of therapy.