BackgroundCryptococcus, a kind of fungus, can be found in soil, decayed wood, and avian excreta. Immunocompromised patients are prone to infection caused by Cryptococcus, and the lungs and central nervous system are the main target organs. Cryptococcosis rarely occurs in the lumbar vertebra or in immunocompetent patients.Case presentationA 40-year-old adult male with isolated lumbar vertebra cryptococcosis at the L4 vertebra underwent successful lesion removal surgery performed via the posterior approach and postoperative administration of an antifungal agent. At the 12-month follow-up, the patient's pain was relieved, and his motor function had improved. Isolated Cryptococcus vertebrae infection is a rare infectious disease.ConclusionsA needle biopsy can confirm the diagnosis of Cryptococcus infection. When patients present with unbearable symptoms of nerve compression, posterior depuration combined with postoperative antifungal agents is a good option.
Background. To explore the normal changes in bone turnover markers (BTMs) and the correlations between the different BTMs after osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). Meanwhile, we explored the related differences that exist between sexes. Methods. A total of 130 OVCF patients were retrospectively reviewed. Using IBM SPSS 19.0 statistical software, the differences in the levels of BTMs and clinical parameters between sexes were assessed using Student’s unpaired t test, and one-way ANOVA was used for the comparison of the three groups of samples. The correlations between P1NP, CTX, and clinical factors were assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results. P1NP was 52.15 ng/ml within two weeks in male patients, and the level increased to 96.33 ng/ml after 12 weeks; in female patients, the increase was not as obvious as in male patients. CTX in male patients reached as much as approximately twice the initial value after 12 weeks. However, the situation in female patients was diverse. CTX was 0.58 ng/ml within two weeks and increased to 0.61 ng/ml within 2-12 weeks after the onset of OVCF. Subsequently, CTX decreased suddenly after 12 weeks. The increase in P1NP levels within 2 weeks after OVCF was significantly correlated with the levels of osteocalcin (OC) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP). Changes in CTX within 2 weeks after OVCF were considerably related to phosphorus, 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), OC, and BAP. Conclusion. The levels of P1NP and CTX increased differently in males and females after OVCF. The levels of OC and BAP were correlated with the levels of P1NP and CTX within 2 weeks of OVCF.
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