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Pulmonary cryptococcosis with headache as the first presentation: A case report

Ting Xu1, Shuai Luo2

  • 1Department of Pathology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital Bijie Hospital, Bijie, Guizhou, P.R. China.

Open Life Sciences
|August 18, 2025
PubMed

Insights

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.
Keywords:
Cryptococcuscytologydiagnosisdifferential diagnosisinitial symptom

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