ABDOMINAL CYST FORMATION FOLLOWING VENTRICULOPERITONEAL SHUNT IN A CASE OF HYDROCEPHALUS DUE TO CRYPTOCOCCAL MENINGITIS - CASE-REPORT - COMPLETELY CURED BY SURGICAL REMOVAL OF THE CYST AND TREATMENT WITH A NEWLY DEVELOPED ANTIFUNGAL DRUG (DIFULCAN)

A 54-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital for evaluation of meningitis. Tuberculous meningitis was suspected initially because of general findings and a high adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) value in the cerebrospinal fluid. Administration of antituberculous drugs was not effective. Computed tomography scanning revealed progression of ventricular enlargement. A ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed upon diagnosis of hydrocephalus due to meningitis. The presence of a large abdominal cyst formation was demonstrated. Cryptococcus was detected in the cyst fluid, leading to a diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis. Intravenous administration of fluconazole (400 mg/day) was begun. Excision of the cyst was performed when Cryptococcus was no longer detected in the cyst fluid. The patient recovered uneventfully.