Brainstem Cryptococcoma

Cryptococcoma in central nervous system is a special form of cryptococcal infection that presents as occupying lesions in human brains. Usually, it happens in cerebral or cerebellar lobes. Brainstem cryptococcoma is extremely rare, as only a few cases were reported until now. Images of brainstem cryptococcoma are usually described as multiple or single heterogeneously rim-enhancing lesions with abscess-like signs in magnetic resonance imaging. However, isolated solid lesion that was homogeneously enhanced in brainstem and without any infectious disease characters has not been reported yet. Here, we showed images of a 37-year-old male suffering from brainstem occupying lesion, which was finally diagnosed as brainstem cryptococcoma. Details of treatment strategy as well as pathologic exam were also presented. Our work highlights the varied imaging features of brainstem cryptococcoma and provides valuable information for differential diagnosis of brainstem occupying lesions.