Sudden death secondary to fulminant intracranial aspegillosis in a healthy teenager after posterior fossa surgery: the role of corticosteroids and prophylactic recommendations.
Postoperative complications from corticosteroids in neurosurgical patients are not uncommon. Too often the deleterious immunosuppressive effects of corticosteroids are overlooked in neurosurgery patients and can lead to serious and lethal infections.


METHODS
case report of a 16-year-old healthy male who presented for elective resection of a recurrent juvile pilocytic astrocytoma of the posterior fossa 4 years after initial resection.


METHODS
major University institutional practice.


RESULTS
a standard suboccipital craniotomy with gross total resection. Postoperatively, the patient suffered from posterior fossa syndrome and diminished gag reflex requiring nasogastric feeds with progressive improvement. While awaiting transfer to a rehabilitation center on postoperative day 12 he suffered a sudden temperature spike followed by neurological decline. A stat computed tomography scan of the brain revealed a diffuse miliary process with severe cerebral edema. Sputum and cerebrospinal fluid cultures identified Aspergillus. Despite immediate therapy to combat the malignant cerebral edema, the patient died within 24 hours of onset of the symptoms. Corticosteroids are used routinely in neurosurgery to combat cerebral edema without much consideration for the immunosuppressive effects. This case demonstrates how the immunosuppressive effects of corticosteroids can lead to a fulminant lethal fungal infection. Neurosurgeons should be aware of the anticatabolic medications now available to combat the deleterious side effects of corticosteroids.
Dickerman
R D
RD
Department of Neurosurgery, North Shore University-Long Island Jewish Health System, New Hyde Park, NY 11004, USA. drrdd@yahoo.com
Stevens
Q E J
QE
Schneider
S J
SJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000601:surgery*; D003645:Death, Sudden; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D015192:Infratentorial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones