Fungal cerebral abscess in a diabetic patient successfully treated with surgery followed by prolonged antifungal therapy.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial fungal masses are uncommon diseases, but their incidence is increasing, most often due to the prolonged survival of patients with different immunodeficiencies. The management of patients with intracranial fungal masses included stereotactic biopsy for diagnosis, partial or radical surgery excision and prolonged antifungal therapy.

AIMS: We report the case of a 51-year-old diabetic man with a history of psoas abscess due to Candida albicans 1 year before the onset of neurological symptoms, including headache and generalized tonoclonic seizures.

METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging showed a single lesion located in the right parietal lobe with mass effect, surrounding edema and enhancement after injection of gadolinium. The material was purulent.

RESULTS: Direct microscopic examination showed hyaline, branched and septate hyphae compatible with fungal elements.

CONCLUSIONS: Fungal infections, especially due to Candida species, should be considered in diabetic patients with parenchymal brain abscesses. Radical excision followed by prolonged antifungal therapy based on fluconazole or amphotericin B is necessary to improve the prognosis of this type of patients.