Abstract
Background: Progressive deterioration and ensuing death following a neurosurgical procedure often represents a diagnostic challenge to the team responsible for patient care. Many, but not all, causes are treatable if a diagnosis is made early. Methods: A 69-year-old woman who died 6 weeks post-operatively following a meningioma resection is reported. An initial routine post-operative course became complicated by progressive neurological deterioration 3–4 weeks later. Despite extensive investigation she died 6 weeks post-operatively without a diagnosis. Results: Autopsy demonstrated extensive Candida meningitis. A review of the literature demonstrates this to be a reported complication in high risk patients, difficult to diagnose, but treatable when identified. Conclusions: Fungal meningitis should be high in the differential diagnosis in the post-operative patient with delayed, unexplained neurological deterioration, especially when associated with negative CSF cultures.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 239-243 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 1995 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neurology
- Clinical Neurology