title: Role of narrowband imaging in assessing endobronchial cryptococcosis.
abstract: Endobronchial cryptococcosis can cause tracheobronchitis with granulomatous changes. In this patient under steroid therapy, bronchoscopic images revealed elevated white patchy lesion on the posterior longitudinal folds of the lower trachea. Bronchoscopy with narrowband imaging (NBI) revealed opaque bronchial subepithelial vessels. Endobronchial biopsy confirmed Cryptococcus neoformans infection in the subepithelial layer. Following treatment with fluconazole, bronchoscopy with NBI revealed the disappearance of elevated lesion and regrowth of vessels of regular caliber. NBI might be useful to assess and follow-up endobronchial fungal infection and other inflammatory processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Respiratory and Infectious Diseases, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Handa
authors.forename: Noriaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kurimoto
authors.forename: Masamichi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mineshita
authors.forename: Teruomi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyazawa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans; D005260:Female; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D015725:Fluconazole