title: Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis mimics high-grade astrocytoma.
abstract: The incidence of cerebral phaeohyphomycosis, an infection caused by a dark-pigmented fungus, is increasing. The infection may mimic a high-grade glioma clinically and radiographically. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy may be helpful in differentiating the two. We report two cases to increase the awareness of cerebral phaeohyphomycosis in the clinical neurosciences. Early biopsy establishing the diagnosis, followed by aggressive combined surgical and medical management is necessary for a good outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390 - 8855, USA. erik.hauck@utsw.edu
authors.forename: Erik F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Hauck
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McGinnis
authors.forename: Haring J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Nauta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001921:Brain / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020314:Central Nervous System Fungal Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003646:Debridement; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D025301:Hyphae / Q000166:cytology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D011379:Prognosis; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents