Pulmonary histoplasmoma: a disguised malady

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Pulmonology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by *Histoplasma capsulatum*, often associated with bat guano.
• Lung involvement is common, presenting with diverse clinical manifestations.
• Solitary pulmonary histoplasmoma is a rare, chronic form that can be misdiagnosed as malignancy.

Observation:

• A young woman presented with chest pain, leading to the discovery of a pulmonary nodule.
• Diagnostic work-up confirmed a pulmonary nodule requiring further investigation.
• Surgical resection and histological analysis were performed.

Findings:

• Histologic analysis confirmed the pulmonary nodule as a histoplasmoma.
• The case highlights the diagnostic challenge of solitary pulmonary histoplasmoma.
• The diagnosis was definitively established post-surgical resection.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering histoplasmoma in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules.
• Raising awareness among clinicians can improve diagnostic accuracy for this unusual presentation of histoplasmosis.
• Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential for managing pulmonary histoplasmoma.