Cryptococcal Osteomyelitis of the Patella: A Case Report.

CASE: A 38-year-old woman presented to our clinic with right knee pain and difficulty ambulating. After cultures were obtained, a cryptococcal infection of the patella was identified. Subsequent workup revealed previously undiagnosed HIV/AIDS and a disseminated cryptococcal infection.

CONCLUSION

Over a 20-month course, the patient was treated with fluconazole and antiretroviral therapy with very limited medication compliance. The disseminated infection caused cutaneous, hepatic, and cerebral complications. Eventually, compliance improved, and a final procedure to obtain post-treatment cultures and apply antifungal bone matrix was completed. The patient cleared the infection and will likely require lifetime antifungal treatment.