Case of the Week
Section Editors: Matylda Machnowska1 and Anvita Pauranik2
1University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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May 13, 2013
Brain Abscess (Caused by Prototheca)
- Prototheca is a genus of algae, specifically Chlorellacea.
- It rarely affects humans. Skin infections have been reported. Brain abscess is rare.
- Key Diagnostic Features: Ring-enhancing, predominantly necrotic lesion(s) with associated surrounding edema. The ring of the lesion also demonstrates hypointense signal on T2WI. Unlike a typical abscess, there is no obvious diffusion restriction.
- DDx: Pyogenic abscess, fungal abscess, mycobacterial infections, tumor
- Rx: Amphotericin