1. Complex cryptococcal empyema
- Author
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Tenholder, Michael F., Ewald, Jr., Frank W., Khankhanian, Nayereh K., and Crosby, John H.
- Subjects
Empyema -- Diagnosis ,Cryptococcal infections -- Diagnosis ,Health ,Diagnosis - Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans continues to present diagnostic and treatment challenges in patients with underlying malignant neoplasms. Cryptococcal empyema is a relatively rare complication of cryptococcal disease. It is important to distinguish whether uncontrolled malignancy or cryptococcal infection is responsible for the effusion. We used traditional diagnostic approaches, bronchoscopy and transthoracic fine needle aspiration, to verify the presence of the organism but continued to have treatment failure until adequate drainage was established. (Chest 1992; 101:586-88) TFNA=transthoracic fine needle aspiration, Cryptococcus neoformans is a ubiquitous fungus found in the soil. On inhalation, a complex, incompletely understood series of host responses begins that determines whether the infection will be controlled or [...]
- Published
- 1992