Cryptococcal bone disease: a manifestation of disseminated cryptococcosis.

In three patients with cryptococcal bone infection, skeletal involvement was sometimes occult, localized (offering a clinically accessible area for the diagnosis of disseminated) or part of a disseminated disease. Cryptococcal bone infection may clinically imitate neoplastic disease. Cryptococcal antigen determinations on bone curettings or serum may be helpful for rapid diagnosis. Although bony disease has been cured with local curettage, systemic amphotericin B is prescribed to eliminate inapparent disseminated disease.