Multiple Mass Lesions in Pneumocystis Pneumonia

Cureus. 2022 Jan 25;14(1):e21590. doi: 10.7759/cureus.21590. eCollection 2022 Jan.

Abstract

We encountered a case of pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) presenting with multiple mass lesions in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative patient. Diagnosis of PCP before bronchoscopy was difficult because chest computed tomography (CT) findings were atypical of PCP and a serum (1,3)-β-D-glucan concentration was within normal limits. Bronchoscopic biopsy and Grocott's staining enabled the diagnosis of PCP. PCP can show various patterns on chest CT images, depending on the immune status of the host. In high-risk patients, such as those who are immunocompromised, bronchoscopy should be performed with suspected cases of PCP, even if CT imaging does not show typical ground-glass opacity.

Keywords: grocott’s staining; ground-glass opacity; immunocompromised host; multiple mass lesions; mycosis fungoides; pneumocystis jirovecii; pneumocystis pneumonia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports