Successful treatment of cerebral aspergillosis with a high oral dose of itraconazole after excisional surgery

Intern Med. 1999 Oct;38(10):829-32. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.38.829.

Abstract

We report a case of cerebral aspergillosis which originated from the sphenoid sinus, and involved a progressive decrease of visual acuity. The neurological signs indicated a cavernous sinus invasion. After extensive intracranial surgery we treated the residual aspergillosis with a high oral dose of itraconazole (800 mg/d for 4 months, followed by 400 mg/d for 5 months). The neurological impairments of the patient gradually subsided with the resolution of the fungal lesion shown on MRI. The successful therapy indicated that itraconazole has a significant role in the treatment of advanced cerebral aspergillosis if it is used in high doses (16 mg/kg/d for adults).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Aspergillosis / drug therapy*
  • Aspergillosis / surgery
  • Brain Abscess / drug therapy*
  • Brain Abscess / microbiology
  • Brain Abscess / surgery
  • Cerebral Cortex / microbiology
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Diabetes Complications
  • Humans
  • Itraconazole / administration & dosage*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Itraconazole