Cryptococcal Meningitis 2001.3.15

Cryptococcal Meningitis 2001.3.15

This disease has an acute onset, characterized by high fever, coma, and rapidly increasing intracranial pressure. Cerebrospinal fluid may contain more than 2,000 cells per cubic millimeter, and intracranial pressure can exceed 4,000 mmHg. In addition to high fever and coma, affected children may also experience persistent headache and projectile vomiting; some patients may develop hemiplegia, deafness, or blindness. Professor Liao Shiqing at Shanghai Changzheng Hospital advocates the combined use of intrathecal injection, intravenous infusion, and oral administration of broad-spectrum antifungal drugs such as Sporanox and Diflucan (fluconazole).