Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis presenting with treatable cognitive impairment and involuntary movement

Abstract

The patient is a 72-year-old Japanese woman. Seven years prior to admission, multiple nodules in her left lung were found. Bronchoscopic biopsy of the nodules did not provide a confirmative diagnosis, and probable diagnosis of cryptococcosis was made. Follow-up CT scan of the chest revealed reduction in size of the lung nodules. She was admitted to our hospital due to progressive cognitive impairment and difficulty in walking that lasted for 5 months. On admission, athetotic involuntary movement was observed in her lower extremities, predominantly in the right side. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid culture of the patient were positive for Cryptococcus neoformans. Antifungal drugs resolved the cognitive impairment, the difficulty in walking, and the involuntary movement. We assessed the cognitive impairment and observed the clinical improvement of the patient, with the use of neuropsychological examinations. To our knowledge, there has been only a few reported case of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis presenting with treatable cognitive impairment and involuntary movement.