A Study of Clinical Caracteristics of Cryptococcal Meningitis 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 patinets(95%), fever in 26 patients (68%), nausea and vomiting in 20 patients(53%) in that order. The brain imaging findings were adnormal in21 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.