Invasive fungal infections, particularly those involving the central nervous system (CNS), pose a significant challenge in pediatric oncology. Fungal brain abscesses in children undergoing chemotherapy remain uncommon but, despite significant advances in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, are often associated with severe complications and poor outcomes. This report presents a case with an unexpectedly favorable outcome, emphasizing the importance of heightened clinical vigilance, early intervention, and tailored management strategies in such scenarios.

We describe the case of a 4-year-old girl diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), who initially presented with fever and mediastinal lymph node enlargement. At the time of diagnosis, there was no evidence of CNS involvement: cerebrospinal fluid analysis was negative and initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified no abnormalities.

Three months into chemotherapy, the patient developed febrile neutropenia and acute respiratory failure secondary to fungal septicemia, with blood cultures positive for Candida albicans. A subsequent brain MRI showed multiple extensive lesions (Figure 1), leading to the initiation of Amphotericin B, Caspofungin, along with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Voriconazole was later added, leading to clinical improvement without neurological symptoms.

Although the patient initially exhibited clinical improvement, she was readmitted nine days later with neurological symptoms, including headache, nystagmus, and absence seizures. Suspecting Voriconazole toxicity, the drug was discontinued, and Levetiracetam was initiated.

An MRI performed one year later revealed disease progression, prompting the initiation of Flucytosine, which led to disease regression. However, due to toxicity, it was subsequently discontinued. Five months later, despite the presence of multiple millimetric lesions and one larger stable lesion measuring 1 mm, the imaging confirmed a remarkable radiological response (Figure 2).

After four years of continuous antifungal therapy with Amphotericin B, the patient, now 8 years old, remained asymptomatic and demonstrated normal physical and neurological development. The most recent MRI (Figure 3) showed apparent resolution of the lesions, with no gadolinium-enhancing abnormalities.

Fungal brain abscesses represent rare yet severe complications in pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies (1). These infections present diverse clinical manifestations and are compounded by the aggressiveness of pathogens such as Candida and Aspergillus species, which are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and rigorous therapeutic intervention (2,3). Despite aggressive antifungal therapies and surgical interventions, the literature highlights a significant risk of recurrence or progression, especially in severely immunocompromised patients (4).

In reviewed cases, mortality rates for Candida cerebral abscesses have reached nearly 70% (5). Other studies indicate that this high mortality is partly due to diagnostic challenges and delays in initiating appropriate therapy (6).

The diagnosis of Candida CNS infections remains challenging due to nonspecific clinical and radiological findings. Tissue biopsy is often necessary for diagnostic confirmation, as blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures are frequently nondiagnostic (5). Advanced imaging techniques, such as diffusion-weighted MRI, have improved the identification of fungal abscesses but cannot reliably differentiate them from bacterial or protozoal infections (5,7).

Management is equally complex due to the limited CNS penetration of many antifungal agents. Voriconazole, despite its efficacy and superior CNS penetration, is often limited by its significant toxicity profile, including hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and visual disturbances, requiring careful monitoring during prolonged therapies (5). While the combination of voriconazole and Amphotericin B has shown efficacy in cases where surgical intervention is unfeasible (7), flucytosine offers an additional therapeutic option with excellent CNS penetration, serving as a critical adjunct to Amphotericin B in managing neurocandidiasis. However, flucytosine's use is limited by its risk of hematological toxicity, including leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, requiring close monitoring during therapy (6). These findings emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and timely intervention to improve patient outcomes.

This report is particularly significant given the rarity of pediatric fungal brain abscesses. The patient’s prolonged therapy with Amphotericin B, combined with the sequential use of various antifungals, underscores the complexity of treatment strategies required for such infections. While the prognosis for fungal brain abscesses in pediatric patients is generally guarded, this case adds to the limited body of evidence, offering valuable insights into the potential for successful outcomes with carefully tailored, long-term management.

The importance of maintaining a high clinical suspicion for fungal CNS involvement in pediatric ALL patients who develop new neurological symptoms during chemotherapy cannot be overstated. Early and aggressive intervention, combined with meticulous monitoring, is essential to mitigate severe consequences. This case underscores the potential for successful outcomes through sustained, individualized antifungal therapy and emphasizes the critical need for further research to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

This case adds valuable data to the limited evidence available on pediatric fungal CNS infections, guiding future clinical practice.