Coccidioidal meningitis complicated by central nervous system vasculitis in a patient with leukemia

Abstract

Central Nervous System (CNS) vasculitis is the most common life-threatening complication of coccidioidal meningitis. It is manifested by cerebral ischemia, hemorrhage, and infarction. We report a case of CNS vasculitis in a patient receiving chemotherapy and review of the literature on coccidioidal meningitis. The patient was treated with combination antifungal therapy and a short course of high dose corticosteroids with a modest improvement in her neurological examination after initiation of steroids.

Keywords

• Coccidioidal meningitis
• Fungal meningitis
• Steroid
• Cerebral vasculitis
• Disseminated coccidioidomycosis