Cranial Base Pachymeningitis in Children: Beyond Tuberculosis

Abstract

Cryptococcal meningitis has clinical and radiologic manifestations similar to tuberculosis. A 12-year-old immunocompetent male developed cranial base pachymeningitis caused by Cryptococcus gattii infection. Although tuberculosis is the main cause of chronic meningitis in children, in regions with endemic cryptococcosis, high clinical suspicion and sensitive tests are essential for changing the high morbidity rate associated with cryptococcal infection.