Question | Discussion | References

Diagnosis and Management of Cryptococcal Meningitis

You answered:

C Perform a lumbar puncture to measure and reduce the intracranial pressure as needed, then start amphotericin B plus fluconazole while waiting for lab results.

This answer is correct. The lumbar puncture should be performed with measurement of CSF opening pressure and CSF cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) by either latex agglutination or lateral flow assay. If flucytosine is not available, the recommended regimen for the induction phase of cryptococcal meningitis treatment is amphotericin B plus fluconazole.

[Back to Case Question | Proceed to Case Discussion]