Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2018 | Case report
Pulmonary blastomycosis presenting as primary lung cancer
Authors:
Syed Mohammed Qasim Hussaini, Deng Madut, Betty C. Tong, Elizabeth N. Pavlisko, Wiley A. Schell, John R. Perfect, Nathan M. Thielman
Published in:
BMC Infectious Diseases
|
Issue 1/2018
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Abstract
Background
Blastomycosis is an endemic mycosis in North America that is caused by the dimorphic fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis. The illness is a systemic disease with a wide variety of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary manifestations. The initial presentation of blastomycosis may easily be mistaken for other infectious or non-infectious etiologies.
Case presentation
We present the case of a 52-year-old African-American male and former smoker that presented to his primary care provider with a 2-week history of non-productive cough, night sweats and weight loss. Initially diagnosed with primary lung malignancy, the patient was subsequently found to have pulmonary blastomycosis mimicking lung cancer. The patient underwent a successful course of treatment with posaconazole.
Conclusions
Chronic blastomycosis can present with clinical and radiographic features indistinguishable from thoracic malignancies. There is no clinical syndrome specific for blastomycosis, thus a high degree of suspicion is required for early diagnosis. In this case report, we review recent evidence in radiographic features, diagnostic considerations and treatment of the disease.