Cryptococcosis mimicking lung carcinoma with brain metastases in an immunocompetent patient. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ang, Samantha Y.L.; Ng, Victor W.L.; Kumar, Shree Dinesh; Low, Sharon Y.Y.
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical neuroscience. Volume 35(2017:Jan.)
• Page Start: 73
• Page End: 75
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: Brain metastasis -- Cryptococcus neoformans -- Disseminated cryptococcosis; Brain -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Brain -- surgery -- Periodicals; Neurosurgical Procedures -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2016.09.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-5868

Abstract

Highlights: Cryptococcosis is a potentially fatal fungal infection that has a good prognosis if it is recognized and treated early. Typically, cryptococcosis is associated with the immunocompromised patient. However, there are increasing reports that the immunocompetent population can be infected by this yeast as well. This is the first reported case of infection by Cryptoccoccus spp. in an immunocompetent host, successfully mimicking a diagnosis of primary lung carcinoma with brain metastases. This clinical scenario demonstrates that disseminated cryptococcosis can successfully mimic other more common disease states. Abstract: Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus spp. that enters the body via inhalation. This ubiquitous yeast has gained notoriety as an opportunistic pathogen in the immunosuppressed population. The authors report a case of a previously-well adult male presented with left-sided weakness. Imaging demonstrated a pulmonary mass and 2 contrast-enhancing intracranial lesions—all features suggestive of a primary lung carcinoma with brain metastases. However, further investigations confirmed disseminated cryptococcosis, without evidence of malignancy. The patient was successfully treated with a course of antifungals. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of dissemintated cryptococcosis in an immunocompetent adult male, simulating as primary lung carcinoma with brain metastases.