Work

Surgical treatment of an intracranial Cryptococcus granuloma in a cat

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Summary A 4‐year‐old, female, neutered, domestic short‐haired cat presented with an acute onset of progressive compulsive pacing and obtundation. General physical examination revealed a crusty nasal discharge, with neurological examination showing a forebrain localisation. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a large mass in the right frontotemporal region, suggestive of a granuloma, with features of raised intracranial pressure. Fine‐needle aspirate samples from an enlarged retropharyngeal lymph node identified yeast organisms, confirmed as Cryptococcus neoformans , on serological and microbiological testing. Following initial oral fluconazole and prednisolone treatment, the cat deteriorated, and surgical debulking by craniectomy was elected to address signs of raised intracranial pressure. The cat recovered well, and 6 months post‐surgery was neurologically normal, receiving oral fluconazole with markedly reduced cryptococcal antigen titres. These findings suggest that surgical debulking in combination with antifungal therapy can be considered for selected cats with intracranial cryptococcal granulomas and progressive signs.

Source: Veterinary Record Case Reports

DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.70456

Authors: Guido Bertoldi, Elsa Beltran, Marta Gruarin, Deepa Cavalli‐Sforza Guitart, Joe Fenn

Institution: Royal Veterinary College

Language: English

Topic: Fungal Infections and Studies

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $1,480