Title:Cryptococcal Osteomyelitis of the Left Acetabulum: A Case Report
Volume: 19
Author(s): Changning Zhou, Jing Zhang, Yang Chen, Xing Ding, Fen Chen, Kai Feng and Kuntao Chen*
Affiliation:
- Department of Radiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zhufengdadao No.1439, Doumen District, Zhuhai 519110, Guangdong, China.
Keywords:
Cryptococcus, osteoarticular cryptococcosis, osteomyelitis, skeletal infection, acetabulum, case report.
Abstract:
Background: Cryptococcus, as a classical "opportunistic" fungal pathogen, is capable of
disseminating an invasive infection in immunocompromised hosts. The primary sites of infection include
the respiratory and central nervous systems, and skeletal infection was rarely reported. In this
case, we describe a case of cryptococcal osteomyelitis involving the left side of the acetabulum in a
Chinese patient with chronic hepatitis B.
Case Presentation: We retrospectively reviewed the case of a female (with chronic hepatitis B) with
left acetabulum pain and limited mobility, with fever occurring during the infection who presented to
the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University. Upon imaging, we found osteolytic bone
destruction in the left acetabulum with inflammatory changes in the surrounding bone and soft tissue,
accompanied by abscess formation. Following an 11-month of antifungal therapy, the clinical symptoms
improved and the lesion area reduced in size. In addition, there was no sign of recurrence.
Conclusion: Cryptococcus infections should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infectious
osteolytic bone lesions, particularly when patients with immune insufficiency. Pathological examinations
and fungal cultures are essential to provide a differential diagnosis.
