AUTHOR=Jia Zhongxiong , Tang Min , Zhang Xiaojun , Xin Xiaojuan , Jiang Wei , Hao Jie 

TITLE=Isolated cryptococcosis of a lumbar vertebra in an immunocompetent patient: A case report and literature review

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Surgery

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/surgery/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2022.1079732

DOI=10.3389/fsurg.2022.1079732

ISSN=2296-875X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Background</title><p><italic>Cryptococcus</italic>, a kind of fungus, can be found in soil, decayed wood, and avian excreta. Immunocompromised patients are prone to infection caused by <italic>Cryptococcus</italic>, and the lungs and central nervous system are the main target organs. Cryptococcosis rarely occurs in the lumbar vertebra or in immunocompetent patients.</p></sec><sec><title>Case presentation</title><p>A 40-year-old adult male with isolated lumbar vertebra cryptococcosis at the L4 vertebra underwent successful lesion removal surgery performed <italic>via</italic> the posterior approach and postoperative administration of an antifungal agent. At the 12-month follow-up, the patient's pain was relieved, and his motor function had improved. Isolated <italic>Cryptococcus</italic> vertebrae infection is a rare infectious disease.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusions</title><p>A needle biopsy can confirm the diagnosis of <italic>Cryptococcus</italic> infection. When patients present with unbearable symptoms of nerve compression, posterior depuration combined with postoperative antifungal agents is a good option.</p></sec>