Intracranial aspergillosis amongst immunocompetent patients: An experience with combined surgical and medical management of 18 patients.

OBJECTIVE

Fungal infections of central nervous system (CNS) commonly affect immunocompromised patients, however, recently such cases have been reported even amongst immunocompetent patients.

PATIENTS &

METHODS

In this study, we retrospectively analyzed outcome of 18 immunocompetent patients with histopathologically proven intracranial Aspergillosis undergoing combined surgical and medical management.

RESULTS

The age of patients ranged from 5-65 years. Fourteen out of 18 patients had well defined lesions while 4 had diffuse disease. Paranasal sinuses were involved in 8 & cavernous sinus in 3 patients. Six patients had hydrocephalus. Four patients developed infarcts during their clinical course. Surgical interventions included gross (n = 4) or subtotal excision (n = 8), decompressive craniectomy & biopsy of lesion (n = 4), biopsy only (n = 2) and ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement (n = 6). All patients received postoperative antifungal therapy. The duration of follow up ranged from 10-60 months. Overall mortality was 44.4%. Mortality amongst patients undergoing gross total and subtotal excision was 25% & 50% respectively. Patients undergoing DC had a mortality of 25%. Both patients undergoing only biopsy died. Hydrocephalus was associated with a very high mortality (83.3%). Amongst surviving patients (n = 10), 6 patients became disease free & rest 4 had stable disease at last follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

Intracranial aspergillosis is associated with high morbidity & mortality even amongst immunocompetent patients. An aggressive multidisciplinary management is thus needed to improve outcome. Our study shows that a combination of surgical excision or decompressive craniectomy and antifungal therapy can be helpful in improving prognosis of these patients.