A 45-year-old man with alcohol-related decompensated
cirrhosis presented with
jaundice,
fever,
headache and altered sensorium. At presentation, he had
tachycardia, disorientation to time and place,
asterixis,
icterus and upgoing plantar response. Investigations showed anaemia,
thrombocytopenia, leucocytosis,
hyperbilirubinemia and elevated arterial
ammonia. Despite management with antihepatic
coma measures and normalisation of
ammonia, broad-spectrum
antibiotics, 20%
albumin, the patient worsened. On day 3, the patient developed generalised tonic-clonic seizure prompting
mechanical ventilation. Examination showed right
proptosis, chemosis and pupillary
anisocoria. MRI brain showed multifocal
infarcts in the right temporal lobe, right cerebellum and brainstem with
inflammation in the right orbit, infratemporal fossa with right
internal carotid artery thrombosis, and suspicious maxillary sinus thickening. Nasal scrapings showed aseptate fungal hyphae and serum
galactomannan index was positive. Despite receiving
liposomal amphotericin-B, patient had an unfavourable outcome. Intracranial invasive mycosis can mimic
hepatic encephalopathy and is associated with high mortality in cirrhotics. A high index of suspicion, positive
biomarkers and diagnostic radiology may provide the key to the diagnosis.