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CT scans of 35 patients with intracranial cryptococcal infection were reviewed retrospectively. Studies were normal in 43% of the patients. Positive findings in others included diffuse atrophy in 34%, mass lesions (cryptococcoma) in 11%, hydrocephalus in 9%, and diffuse cerebral edema in 3%. Two unusual types of cryptococcoma were encountered, namely gelatinous pseudocysts and an intraventricular cryptococcal cyst. All findings were nonspecific for CNS cryptococcosis. The results suggest that CNS cryptococcosis should be considered in all patients at risk for the disease who have these abnormal CT findings, no matter what their initial clinical presentation. In addition, MR demonstration of gelatinous pseudocysts in one patient indicates that this technique may be helpful in locating cryptococcal mass lesions not visualized on CT.

The computed tomography (CT) scans and other radiographic studies of 23 patients with cerebral cysticercosis were reviewed. Parenchymal calcifications, the most common finding, are somewhat better seen on CT scans than on skull films. Ventricular cysts may be suspected by disproportionate enlargement of the involved ventricle. Cysts in subarachnoid cisterns are best detected by performing both CT and pneumoencephalography. Contrast enhancement was not seen with cisternal or ventricular cysts but may be with parenchymal cysticercus lesions.