title: Cryptococcosis mimicking lung carcinoma with brain metastases in an immunocompetent patient.
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.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: Samantha Y L
authors: SY
authors: Ang
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: Victor W L
authors: VW
authors: Ng
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: Shree Dinesh
authors: SD
authors: Kumar
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address: sharon_yy_low@nni.com.sg.
authors: Sharon Y Y
authors: SY
authors: Low
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary*; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents
keywords: Brain metastasis; Cryptococcus neoformans; Disseminated cryptococcosis