1/8. brain abscess and hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia: a report of three cases.Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasis (HHT) has long been viewed as a rare disease which is not usually associated with high morbidity and mortality. We report three patients with HHT who developed cerebral abscesses secondary to pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVM).- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = rare disease (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/8. Haematogenous brain abscess complicating a case of Austrian syndrome.Austrian syndrome includes pneumococcal endocarditis, meningitis and rupture of the aortic valve. This study reports a case with a haematogenous brain abscess. physicians should be aware of the risk factors and dramatic evolution of this rare disease, to avoid delays in diagnosis, and to prevent embolic complications and rupture of the aortic valve.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = rare disease (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/8. Neurobrucellosis presenting as leukoencephalopathy: the role of cytotoxic T lymphocytes.A 65-year-old man developed a leukoencephalopathy associated with neurobrucellosis. The disease followed a 15-month progressive course with neurologic symptoms, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral symmetrical T2 signal hyperintensities in the white matter. biopsy of the cerebral cortex and white matter was significant for nongranulomatous meningoencephalitis with reactive microgliosis and astrogliosis. The inflammatory infiltrate was predominantly composed of T lymphocytes, including numerous cytotoxic T cells. There was no evidence of significant myelin destruction. No organisms were detected microscopically, but elevated immunoglobulin g titers to Brucella were found in the cerebrospinal fluid. An abscess formed at the biopsy site, and brucella melitensis was cultured from abscess contents. Neurobrucellosis is difficult to diagnose outside endemic regions and is associated with leukoencephalopathy-like pathology. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes and microglia activation play an immunopathogenic role in this rare disease.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = rare disease (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/8. Multiple brain abscesses due to penicillium spp infection.We present a case of central nervous system (CNS) infection by a member of the penicillium genera in a hiv-negative man in brazil. The patient was admitted complaining of loss of visual fields and speech disturbances. CT scan revealed multiple brain abscesses. Stereotactic biopsies revealed fungal infection and amphotericin b treatment begun with initial improvement. The patient died few days later as a consequence of massive gastrointestinal bleeding due to ruptured esophageal varices. The necropsy and final microbiologic analyses disclosed infection by penicillium sp. There are thousands of fungal species of the penicillium genera. Systemic penicilliosis is caused by the P. marneffei and was formerly a rare disease, but now is one of the most common opportunistic infection of AIDS patients in Southeast asia. The clinical presentation usually involves the respiratory system and the skin, besides general symptoms like fever and weight loss. penicillium spp infection caused by species other than P. marneffei normally cause only superficial or allergic disease but rare cases of invasive disease do occur. We report the fourth case of penicillium spp CNS infection.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = rare disease (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/8. Middle and posterior fossa aspergilloma.BACKGROUND: Aspergilloma of the brain is a rare disease. Among its varied presentations, a solitary intracranial mass is very uncommon. A preoperative diagnosis of it is very difficult, but a perioperative squash smear/frozen section can identify the pathology. Because of its rarity in immunocompetent patients and the difficulty in preoperative diagnosis, we have illustrated this case and its presentation and management. methods: A 27-year-old man presented with an h/o right-sided weakness along with headache and ear discharge. A computed tomographic (CT) scan showed a large irregular, space-occupying lesion in the middle and posterior cranial fossa. He had a mastoidectomy done 3 years before for chronic suppurative otitis media. After a symptom-free interval of 1 year, he was investigated for severe earache on the same side. A CT scan at that time showed a space occupying mass in the right temporal bone and right inferior temporal lobe. A biopsy and histopathology of the lesion revealed a chronic granulomatous mass. He was started on antituberculous drugs and was on it for 7 months at the time of presentation. RESULTS: He underwent a suboccipital craniectomy and total excision of the mass. Postoperatively, his consciousness improved but began to deteriorate on the third postoperative day. A repeat CT scan showed hydrocephalus and total removal of the mass. An external ventricular drain was put and he was ventilated, but he died on the fourth postoperative day. Histopathology report came as aspergilloma. CONCLUSION: This report highlights the rare presentation of aspergilloma in an immunocompetent patient. It emphasizes the importance of suspecting this disease in such patients and the role of intraoperative squash smear preparations or frozen section in the diagnosis as routine diagnostic procedures that will help in early pharmacotherapeutic interventions in adjunct to surgery.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = rare disease (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/8. Primary amebic meningoencephalitis with cerebral and cerebellar abscesses: case report.A case of fatal primary amebic meningoencephalitis is reported. We need to remind ourselves that, if the usual laboratory tests fail to show any microbial or fungal agents either in the CSF or in fluids or tissues obtained at operation, it is imperative that a warm wet slide preparation be made. Primary amebic meningoencephalitis is a very rare disease, and it is only by prompt recognition of the amebae that we can make an early diagnosis and institute the appropriate therapy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = rare disease (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/8. Intrasellar abscess after transsphenoidal pituitary adenomectomy.Intrasellar abscess is a rare disease that is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Few neurosurgeons who operate by the transsphenoidal route are concerned with intrasellar abscess despite its high mortality rate. We describe a case of intrasellar abscess which, to our knowledge, is only the second diagnosed or suspected preoperatively. Most cases have been diagnosed unexpectedly at operation or autopsy. This case also is the first reported intrasellar abscess arising within an intrasellar graft used to seal the sella turcica after transsphenoidal pituitary adenomectomy. The clinical suspicion of infection proved more reliable than roentgenograms and laboratory studies in leading to the proper diagnosis and successful therapy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = rare disease (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/8. Cerebral aspergillosis in immunologically competent patients.aspergillosis of the central nervous system is a rare disease, especially if the patient's immune system is not compromised. The authors report three cases of cerebral aspergillosis in the immunocompetent state: a rhinocerebral form in a diabetic patient, a direct extension from chronic aspergillus otitis media, and a postoperative aspergillus brain abscess after brain tumor surgery. In spite of the poor prognosis of cerebral aspergillosis, two of the patients survived. The pathogenesis, predisposing factors, radiologic findings including magnetic resonance image, and the outcome are presented. The pertinent literature of cerebral aspergillosis is also reviewed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = rare disease (Clic here for more details about this article) |