Normalization of Bilateral Adrenal Gland Enlargement after Treatment for Cryptococcosis

Abstract EN

Cryptococcosis usually occurs in immunocompromised patients and can cause enlargement of the adrenal glands, although the morphologic changes after treatment have not been reported in detail.

We report the case of 24-year-old man with fevers, headaches, and impaired consciousness who had been treated with glucocorticoids for a protein-losing gastroenteropathy.

The cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed cryptococcal meningitis.

Computed tomography showed bilateral adrenal enlargement.

A retrospective analysis revealed that the enlargement had been detected 5 months before admission and gradually increased.

The enlargement was improved with antifungal therapy and normalized 6 months later.

This is the first report describing morphological changes in the adrenal glands associated with cryptococcal meningitis.

Adrenal enlargement by cryptococcosis can be improved without any abnormal findings, including calcifications, which may be a unique characteristic from other diseases, including tuberculosis.