Aspiration cytology of brain abscess from a fatal case of cerebral phaeohyphomycosis due to Ramichloridium mackenziei

Diagn Cytopathol. 2007 Nov;35(11):695-9. doi: 10.1002/dc.20724.

Abstract

Ramichloridium mackenziei is a dematiaceous fungus that usually causes cerebral phaeohyphomycosis. We describe the aspiration cytology findings of a case of cerebral abscess caused by R. mackenziei in a 66-yr-old Saudi woman who had a long standing history of diabetes mellitus and a recent diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus. She was on long-term corticosteroid therapy. The patient developed rapidly progressive multiple brain abscesses and died despite aspiration of the abscess and administration of intravenous amphotericin B lipid complex and voriconazole.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Ascomycota / isolation & purification*
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Brain Abscess / microbiology
  • Brain Abscess / pathology*
  • Brain Abscess / therapy
  • Central Nervous System Fungal Infections / microbiology
  • Central Nervous System Fungal Infections / pathology*
  • Central Nervous System Fungal Infections / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Diabetes Complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use
  • Triazoles / therapeutic use
  • Voriconazole

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Pyrimidines
  • Triazoles
  • Amphotericin B
  • Voriconazole