Common Misdiagnoses of Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is an infection of the membranes surrounding the spinal cord and brain, and it is caused by fungus. More specifically, it is caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, which is a fungus that can be found in soil. In most cases, cryptococcal meningitis is only found in those with a weak immune system. The symptoms tend to appear gradually, with a fever, headache and hallucinations being just a few of them. Many patients also suffer from vomiting, photophobia and a stiff neck. Like some other forms of meningitis, this condition can result in brain damage, seizures or death if not diagnosed in time.

Proper Diagnosis Procedure

Once a doctor knows the symptoms, the next step is to perform a spinal tap so that fluid from the spine can be tested. A physical examination may also be revealing, as those with cryptococcal meningitis typically have a fast heartbeat and a fever. If the doctor is still unsure about the diagnosis, blood tests, chest X-rays and spinal fluid cultures may be completed. This way, the doctor can prescribe antifungal medications to treat the cryptococcal meningitis.

Misread Diagnosis

Doctors who perform a battery of tests often correctly diagnose cryptococcal meningitis right away, leading to fast treatment and no complications. However, some doctors are satisfied with just a physical examination and a list of symptoms, which may lead to the diagnosis of conditions with a few similar signs.

AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, starts with an HIV infection, which has no symptoms for the first 10 years. Once the infection develops into AIDS, the symptoms tend to include a fever, night sweats and chills. In addition, the lymph nodes are often swollen, and many patients lose weight. Since AIDS causes a weak immune system, and cryptococcal meningitis rarely occurs in patients with a strong system, some doctors may confuse the two conditions. In fact, some patients with AIDS eventually get cryptococcal meningitis. However, doctors who perform the proper tests are usually able to correctly diagnose each condition.

Immune suppression often occurs as a result of certain medications. Patients who receive donor organs or skin grafts may be given drugs to stop their immune system from rejecting the foreign object. However, this can lead to disease since the immune system is weak after taking the medication. Some doctors may wrongly diagnose a case of cryptococcal meningitis as immune suppression, but those who ask their patients whether they are taking medications can avoid this mistake.

Get a Lawyer

If your treatment for cryptococcal meningitis was delayed due to a misdiagnosis, talk to a lawyer. You may have a case for medical malpractice if you can show that your doctor's mistake led to your illness becoming worse.