Cryptococcal osteomyelitis of the scapula and rib in an immunocompetent patient

Abstract

Cryptococcal osteomyelitis is extremely rare and almost always occurs in immunocompromised patients. We describe a case of osteomyelitis due to Cryptococcus neoformans involving both scapula and rib in an immunocompetent and previously healthy patient. The patient received treatment with amphotericin B deoxycholate and flucytosine for 4 weeks, followed by oral fluconazole 400 mg per day for 8 weeks and 200 mg per day for 9 months. The 12-month course of antifungal therapy resulted in complete clinical recovery and undetectable serum cryptococcal antigen. Cryptococcal osteomyelitis should be suspected in any immunocompetent patient with osteolytic lesions on radiological images. © 2012 ISHAM.