Cerebellar aspergillosis in an infant: case report.

Abstract

Intracranial aspergillosis is occasionally seen among immunocompromised patients, the incidence increasing in consequence to large-scale use of chemotherapy against malignancies and immunosuppression after organ transplantation. Immunocompetent patients harboring invasive intracranial fungal infections still remain an elusive diagnosis. A 7-month-old immunocompetent infant who developed and harbored cerebellar aspergillosis until 3 years of age is reported. Radical surgical resection of posterior fossa mass (aspergilloma) and parenteral administration of Amphotericin B led to a successful outcome. The differential diagnosis at both stages of presentation and the possible mode of infection are discussed according to the radiological images. Preoperative diagnosis on the basis of imaging is difficult. The pathogenesis of such an infection remains uncertain. Parenteral Amphotericin B, followed by prolonged itraconazole therapy, remains the "gold standard" modality for central nervous system fungal infections in adjunct to aggressive surgical debridement.