title: Cryptococcal osteomyelitis of the spine.
abstract: We have treated seven patients with cryptococcal spondylitis. Five presented with a neurological deficit and one was HIV-positive. Amphotericin-B and 5-flucytosine were used in five patients and ketoconazole was given orally in the remaining two. Three patients made a complete neurological recovery. Since these lesions mimic spinal tuberculosis, which is commonly seen in our environment, we draw attention to the importance of obtaining a tissue diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Govender
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mutasa
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Parbhoo
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005437:Flucytosine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B; D005437:Flucytosine; D007654:Ketoconazole