ABSTRACT
A right hilar mass was found on a computed tomographic (CT) scan in a 40-year-old man who presented with fever, sore throat, and general malaise. Initial testing ruled out various bacterial and viral infections and carcinoma. The patient's condition continued to deteriorate, and the mass as seen on repeat CT scan increased in size. Surgical biopsy of sections of the right lower lobe confirmed the diagnosis of histoplasmosis. Most histoplasmosis infections are asymptomatic, and even those that are not are usually self-limited and require only observation. When treatment is required, ketoconazole (Nizoral) now provides a less toxic alternative to amphotericin B (Fungizone).
Subject(s)
Histoplasmosis/diagnostic imaging , Lung Diseases, Fungal/diagnostic imaging , Lung Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Male , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
A 15-year-old boy who had sharp pains in the right side of the chest and was unable to breathe deeply was tentatively diagnosed as having congenital cystic disease of the lung on the basis of chest x-ray studies and bronchography. The diagnosis was confirmed after thoracotomy and right lower lobectomy, carried out because of firm adherence of a large thick-walled cyst. The patient's respiratory function improved rapidly and chronic dyspnea resolved completely.
