[Osseous site of systemic cryptococcosis in an immunocompetent patient]

Cryptococcosis is a cosmopolite mycosis caused by an opportunistic fungus usually infecting immunodeficient subjects. A 50-year old patient, with no particular medical history was seen with metaphyseal and diaphyseal bony lesions of a non-specific lytic aspect. This demonstrates that such an infection may also occur in apparently immunocompetent subjects. Diagnosis may be difficult and needs a special investigation looking for Cryptococcus neoformans. It should perhaps be made when first-intention investigations of a lytic bony lesion does not reveal any precise aetiology.