Intrathecal spinal abscesses due to Candida albicans in an immunocompetent man

Abstract

Infections of the central nervous system due to Candida albicans are uncommon and are usually only observed in special circumstances, such as following neurosurgery or penetrating head trauma, in immunosuppressed patients, premature infants or in patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts. The author reports a case of an immunocompetent man who presented with a thoracic intraspinal abscess due to C. albicans. Despite surgical drainage and 6 weeks of high-dose fluconazole therapy, the abscess extended and recurred in the cervical spine, requiring a second operation to arrest the infection.