title: Isolated cryptococcal thoracic empyema with osteomyelitis of the rib in an immunocompetent host.
abstract: Cryptococcal thoracic empyema is extremely rare and has been described almost always in immunocompromised patients with pulmonary or disseminated cryptococcosis. To our knowledge, isolated cryptococcal thoracic empyema with rib osteomyelitis has never been reported in an immunocompetent patient. We herein present such a case. Computed tomographic (CT) scan suggested the diagnosis of thoracic empyema in association with adjacent rib osteomyelitis, confirmed by postoperative histological examination. Surgical debridement followed by appropriate antifungal therapy achieved a complete eradication of the infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, 325, Cheng-Kung Road, Sec. 2, Taipei 114, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Wei-Chou
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Ching
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tzao
authors.forename: Hsian-He
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Hon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chung-Ping
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Cheng-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000187:drug effects; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D012272:Ribs / Q000382:microbiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents