J Korean Rheum Assoc.  2003 Dec;10(4):438-441.

A Case of Cerebral Aspergillosis in a Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Lee TK
• Choi JH
• Choi CW
• Lee SY
• Lee JH
• Lee JW
• Kim SS
• Kim SI

Abstract

We report a case of aspergillosis of the central nervous system in patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A 46-year-old woman with 20-year history of RA and on treatment with corticosteroid, hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate, was admitted because of drowsiness, dizziness and dysarthria. On admission, physical examination and laboratory data showed, among other findings, disappearance of pupil reflex, positive Babinski and Chaddock reflex. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain showed multiple high signal intensity lesion on medulla, pons, midbrain, basal ganglia, internal capsule, thalamus and hypothalmus. Stereotactic brain biopsy was performed and biopsy specimen revealed an invasive Aspergillus.

Keyword

Rheumatoid arthritis; Invasive Aspergillus; Central nervous system

MeSH Terms

Arthritis, Rheumatoid*
Aspergillosis*
Aspergillus
Basal Ganglia
Biopsy
Brain
Central Nervous System
Dizziness
Dysarthria
Female
Humans
Hydroxychloroquine
Internal Capsule
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Mesencephalon
Methotrexate
Middle Aged
Physical Examination
Pons
Pupil
Reflex
Sleep Stages
Thalamus
Hydroxychloroquine
Methotrexate