 |
Case Report
An unanticipated pulmonary mass: Histoplasmoma mimicking malignancy
1 33 Mitchel Avenue, BGH IM Clinic, Binghamton, NY 13903, USA
2 PGY-II, Internal Medicine, University of South Alabama Health University Hospital, Mobile, Alabama, USA
3 PGY-III, Internal Medicine, University of South Alabama Health University Hospital, Mobile, Alabama, USA
4 PGY-IV, Pathology Department, University of South Alabama Health University Hospital, Mobile, Alabama, USA
5 Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine, University of South Alabama Health University Hospital, Mobile, Alabama, USA
Address correspondence to:
Yasir Ahmed
33 Mitchel Avenue, BGH IM Clinic, Binghamton, NY 13903,
USA
Message to Corresponding Author
Article ID: 101244Z01YA2021
Access full text article on other devices
Access PDF of article on other devices
How to cite this article
Ahmed Y, Ur Rehman M, Hamid S, Haleema S, Ludvik N. An unanticipated pulmonary mass: Histoplasmoma mimicking malignancy. Int J Case Rep Images 2021;12:101244Z01YA2021.ABSTRACT
Histoplasmoma is a rare form of chronic infection with Histoplasma capsulatum (HC) infection that is frequently misconstrued as malignancy. The diagnosis is invariably through histopathological studies and appropriate staining after surgical resection and carries an excellent prognosis even for lesions more than 3 cm.
We present a case of a young female whose clinical presentation and imaging studies were highly concerning for lung malignancy, such as non-Hodgkin′s lymphoma (NHL) in controlled human immunodeficiency (HIV) infection and was resected accordingly. However, on histopathological examination, it was revealed to be a histoplasmoma. There were no signs of disseminated disease; hence antifungal therapy was not administered. The patient remained asymptomatic at outpatient follow-up after a year.
Infectious etiology should make the differential list when working up a pulmonary nodule or even a mass inappropriate setting, including well managed immunocompromised conditions. These are potentially treatable causes with an excellent prognosis. It is important to recall that such infections might have atypical presentations in immunocompromised patients, as highlighted in this case.
Keywords: Histoplasmoma, Histoplasma capsulatum, Pulmonary mass in HIV, Fungal mass
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Author Contributions
Yasir Ahmed - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Mustafeez Ur Rehman - Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Sarah Hamid - Acquisition of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Saadia Haleema - Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Nicholas Ludvik - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Guarantor of SubmissionThe corresponding author is the guarantor of submission.
Source of SupportNone
Consent StatementWritten informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this article.
Data AvailabilityAll relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.
Conflict of InterestAuthors declare no conflict of interest.
Copyright© 2021 Yasir Ahmed et al. This article is distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium provided the original author(s) and original publisher are properly credited. Please see the copyright policy on the journal website for more information.
