title: [Use of magnetic resonance in the diagnosis of neuro-cryptococcosis in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: study of 4 patients].
abstract: Neuro-cryptococcosis is a common opportunistic infection in AIDS or HIV infected patients. From a series of 10 neuro-cryptococcosis the four of them studied by magnetic resonance (MR) are reported. In AIDS patients a high suspicion of opportunistic infection of the CNS is needed as exemplified by two of the four patients who only presented cephalalgia. The other two patients suffered additional symptoms and signs of meningeal and CNS involvement, such as nuchal rigidity, cranial nerve palsies, papilloedema, gait ataxia and dismetria. Diagnosis was achieved (confirmed) by a positive culture, serology or indian ink test in CSF. CT scan did not contribute to the diagnosis and management of the patients. In contrast MR, showed in three of them a peculiar pattern of small, confluent, high-signal lesions, roughly symmetrically placed in the basal ganglia and the internal capsule. They probably correspond to the dilated Virchow-Robin spaces through which torulae migrate from the subarachnoid space.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neurología, Hospital de Cruces, Baracaldo, Vizcaya.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Uterga
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montejo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aguirrebengoa
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Larracoechea
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Forcadas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrero
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aguirre
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Zarranz
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D000328:Adult; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
vernacular_title: Aportación de la resonancia magnética al diagnóstico de la neurocriptococosis en el síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida: estudio de 4 enfermos.