Authors : Claudia Pacheco; Dyutika Kantamneni; Harshitha Tallapally

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 8 - August

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/5n6dd69f

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/3kc68fs5

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26aug817

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Abstract : A man in his early fifties with chronic hepatitis B presented with two days of altered mental status. CT showed a tectal plate lesion causing hydrocephalus, initially thought to be a glioma. MRI findings were atypical for glioma, suggesting an infectious process. CSF analysis revealed high cryptococcal antigen titers, and MR spectroscopy demonstrated lipid and lactate peaks, supporting an infectious etiology. A diagnosis of tectal plate cryptococcoma complicating cryptococcal meningitis was made. Antifungal therapy led to clinical improvement, and follow-up imaging showed slight decreased size of the tectal lesion. This case of tectal plate cryptococcoma highlights the diagnostic challenge of identifying a fungal infection in an uncommon location and the value of advanced imaging contributing to the diagnosis, avoiding unnecessary interventions.

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