A Study of Clinical Characteristics of Cryptococcal Meningitis: Diagnosis and Treatment in 38 cases

ABSTRACT

A clinical analysis was carried out in 38 patients with cryptococcal meningitis who were admitted at Severance hospital from January 1983 to June 1993. Age of patients ranged from 3 to 72 years (mean 37.5). The number of patients with underlying disease were 19(50%), which are equal to the number of patients without associated disease. The major presenting symptoms were headache in 36 patients (95%), fever in 26 patients(68%), nausea and vomiting in 20 patients(53%) in that order. The brain imaging findings were abnormal in 21 patients(57%). The antifungal therapy was done; amphotericin B only in 3 patients; amphotericin B and flucytocine in 23 patients; fluconazole only in 5 patients. The therapeutic responses were good in 19 patients(50%). The patients with favorable outcome were younger less having focal deficit, seizure, or associated disease.