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. 2014 Jan;31(1):70-2.
doi: 10.4103/0970-2113.125991.

Solitary pulmonary nodule: A rare presentation of pulmonary mucormycosis in an immunocompetent adult

Supriya Sarkar  1 , Debraj Jash  1 , Arnab Maji  1 , Malay Kr Maikap  1
Affiliations

Solitary pulmonary nodule: A rare presentation of pulmonary mucormycosis in an immunocompetent adult

Supriya Sarkar et al. Lung India. 2014 Jan.

Abstract

Pulmonary mucormycosis is a rare opportunistic infection of immunocompromised individuals. Here, we report a case of 70-year-old male, smoker presenting with high-grade fever for 2 weeks and episodes of hemoptysis. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) thorax revealed a solitary pulmonary nodule measuring 2.3 × 1.6 cm in the right upper lobe. CT guided fine needle aspiration cytology and true cut biopsy showed plenty of typical fungal hyphae consistent with the diagnosis of mucormycosis. Fungal culture confirmed the organism as mucor. Positron emission tomography-CT scan showed a non- 18 fluorodeoxy glucose avid nodule ruling out possibility of malignancy. Investigation did not reveal any evidence of immunosuppression. Patient was treated with intravenous liposomal amphotericin B for 4 weeks. Follow-up chest X-ray and CT scan after 6 weeks were normal.

Keywords: Immunocompetent host; mucormycosis; pulmonary; solitary pulmonary nodule.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a and b) Contrast-enhanced computed tomography thorax showing a solitary pulmonary nodule measuring 2.3 × 1.6 cm with few areas of rarefaction seen at anterior segment of right upper lobe
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a) Giemsa-stained smear, (b) Methenamine silver-stained smear showing broad, irregular, and nonseptate hyphae of mucormycosis. H and E staining of the biopsy material showing wide areas of necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration (inset)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan showing (a) Nodule with spiculated margin and calcification, (b) Non-FDG avid nodule seen in anterior segment of right upper lobe
Figure 4
Figure 4
Follow-up chest X-ray done after 6 weeks showing clearance of the lesion
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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