Work

Cryptococcal infection masquerading as a posterior mediastinal mass on cross sectional imaging: A case report and review of literature

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Pulmonary fungal infections are typically opportunistic but can also develop in immunocompetent hosts. These infections frequently present with diverse imaging appearances, often mimicking more common pulmonary or mediastinal conditions. We report the case of a 64 year old male with cough, shortness of breath and chest heaviness whose imaging features (neural formainal extension; destruction of adjacent ribs and vertebral bodies and chest wall invasion) initially suggested a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. However, biopsy performed twice confirmed the lesion to be a cryptococcal infection. This case highlights that fungal infections in immunocompetent individuals may present as invasive mass-like lesions. Consequently, infections-particularly fungal etiologies-should remain an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of thoracic masses, even in patients without overt immunosuppression.

Source: Radiology Case Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2026.03.046

Authors: Sundar Suwal, Shivali Rao, Ranjan Sapkota, Aakirti Sharma

Institution: Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Fungal Infections and Studies

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $600