Multiple infarcts in a patient with cerebral phaeohyphomycosis: CT and MRI

Abstract

Phaeohyphomycosis is an uncommon disorder caused by a variety of saprophytic fungi having distinctive morphologic features. Central nervous system infection typically occurs in the absence of predisposing factors and usually manifest symptoms and signs of abscess formation. We describe an otherwise healthy young man whose presentation with cerebral phaeohyphomycosis was subacute meningitis and stroke. Neuroimaging studies revealed multiple parenchymal lesions having the characteristics of recent infarcts; several vascular territories were involved. The nature of these lesions was confirmed histologically at autopsy. To our knowledge, such radiologic appearances have not previously been reported in this condition.