Cerebral Cryptococcal Granuloma in a Cat

Abstract

A 7-year-old cat was presented for seizures. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology and serology were consistent with a diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. The cat was treated with clindamycin but seizures continued and additional neurological signs developed over 6 months. A mass lesion was identified in the left cerebral hemisphere using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The lesion enhanced after gadolidium and a tumour was considered likely. Histologically, the lesion proved to be a cryptococcal granuloma and retrospective serology confirmed that the cat had cryptococcosis at its initial presentation. This report provides the first description in the veterinary literature of the MRI appearance of a cerebral cryptococcoma and emphasises the importance of performing cryptococcal antigen determination in cats with signs of intracranial disease.

Cryptococcosis of the central nervous system in a dog

“…[10][11][12] Hydrocephalus and mineralization are occasionally observed. 14 Data regarding the MRI features of CNS cryptococcal infections in animals are limited; however, the spectrum of lesions appears similar to that of humans. 13 Granulomas have been reported to remain detectable on MRIs for > 5 years after clinical cure.…”

Cholesterol granuloma in the choroid plexus of a cat

“…In general, intracranial masses rarely occur in cats [ 5 , 23 , 24 ]. The vast majority of clinically diagnosed intracranial masses in small animals are neoplasms with meningiomas and lymphomas representing the most common tumors described in cats [ 23 , 25 – 28 ].…”

“…Primary non-neoplastic intracranial masses are extremely rare in cats [ 1 ]. When occurring, they are most likely infectious in origin [ 5 , 24 ]. There have been few described cases of intracranial granuloma following an infection with Cryptococcus neoformans [ 5 ] or Toxoplasma gondii [ 24 ].…”

“…When occurring, they are most likely infectious in origin [ 5 , 24 ]. There have been few described cases of intracranial granuloma following an infection with Cryptococcus neoformans [ 5 ] or Toxoplasma gondii [ 24 ]. Also, an infection with the Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus (FIPV) can lead to pyogranulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis and chorioiditis [ 32 ].…”

Cryptococcal granulomas of basal ganglia due to <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i> in a cat: a case report and literature review

“…grubii None Died Italy [ 18 ] 7 6/FS Cerebellum and brainstem C. gattii Fluconazole Survive Seattle, USA [ 2 ] 8 7/FS Left cerebral Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans None Euthanasia Australia [ 8 ] 9 3/FS Basal ganglia and thalamus C. neoformans var. grubii None Died Taiwan This case * M: male, F: female, MN: neutered male, FS: spayed female.…”