Cryptococcal intracerebral mass lesions associated with cryptococcal meningitis.

12 patients with cryptococcal intracerebral mass lesions associated with cryptococcal meningitis are reported. There were 6 males and 6 females with a mean age of 41 years. Most of them presented with symptoms and signs of meningitis initially without focal neurological signs. Computed tomography revealed single or multiple, well or poorly marginated hypodense lesions without perilesional edema, except 1 case which had marked edema, with or without ring enhancement. One case had small hyperdense, diffuse, enhanced nodules. New lesions or progression of the existing lesions occurred during medical therapy in some patients. The clinical manifestations of patients with intracranial mass lesions did not significantly differ from patients without mass lesions, but the mortality was higher (50% vs 29%).