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Pulmonary cryptococcosis with headache as the first presentation: A case report
1Department of Pathology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital Bijie Hospital, Bijie, Guizhou, P.R. China.
Open Life Sciences
|August 18, 2025
Summary
Pulmonary cryptococcosis, a fungal infection, can mimic lung cancer. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective antifungal treatment and improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
- Mycology
Background:
- Pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) is an invasive fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii.
- Non-specific clinical and radiological findings often delay diagnosis.
- Cryptococcus species are yeasts that can cause serious infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
Observation:
- A 44-year-old male presented with neurological symptoms (dizziness, headache).
- Initial imaging (MRI, CT scan) suggested lung cancer with brain metastasis.
- Diagnosis was confirmed only after lung mass biopsy and histopathological analysis.
Findings:
- The lung mass was definitively diagnosed as Pulmonary Cryptococcosis (PC).
- Histopathological analysis confirmed the presence of Cryptococcus species.
- The patient received postoperative antifungal therapy.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of including PC in the differential diagnosis for patients with suspected lung cancer and neurological symptoms.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment of PC can significantly improve patient prognosis and reduce mortality.
- Raising awareness among clinicians about the varied presentations of PC is essential for timely intervention.
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