Cryptococcal meningitis presenting with recurrent syncope in a patient with chronic lymphoid leukemia: a case report
2009

Cryptococcal Meningitis in a Patient with Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia

publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Ahmed Imdad, Powell Steven, Hoth Michael, Javed Ahmed, Moen Steffany K, Haehn Melissa R

Primary Institution: University of Minnesota School of Medicine

Hypothesis

The clinical presentations of cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-negative patients may differ from those infected with HIV.

Conclusion

Cryptococcal meningitis should be considered in HIV-negative immunocompromised patients presenting with atypical symptoms like recurrent syncope.

Supporting Evidence

  • Most patients with cryptococcal meningitis present with typical signs and symptoms, but this case shows atypical presentations.
  • The patient was initially misdiagnosed with acute sinusitis before the correct diagnosis was made.
  • Cryptococcal meningitis can present with symptoms like recurrent syncope, which is not commonly associated with this condition.

Takeaway

This study talks about a 75-year-old man with leukemia who had unusual symptoms of a brain infection, showing that such infections can look different in people without HIV.

Methodology

Case report detailing the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of a patient with cryptococcal meningitis.

Limitations

The case report is based on a single patient, limiting generalizability.

Participant Demographics

75-year-old retired Caucasian male with chronic lymphoid leukemia.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1757-1626-2-103

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