Endobronchial histoplasmosis: a masquerade of primary endobronchial neoplasia—a clinical study of four cases

Background Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus with both hyphal and microconidial elements and is endemic in certain areas of the central United States. Most clinically recognized syndromes are self-limited, presenting in more than 80% of cases as an influenza-like acute pulmonary illness. We encountered four patients with an endobronchial presentation of histoplasmosis masquerading as a bronchogenic malignancy. Methods The patient files from one of the authors (PR) uncovered four patients diagnosed with, and treated for, endobronchial histoplasmosis; all cases were referred for a presumptive diagnosis of endobronchial neoplasia. Results The case study group comprised three women, ages 52, 68, and 81 years, respectively, and one man age 29 years, all presenting with recurrent hemoptysis. An obstructing adherent lesion was apparent on bronchoscopy in three, involving the right upper lobe bronchus in two, and right mainstem bronchus in one. In one patient, blood was observed in the bronchus intermedius; there was no gross lesion. Recurrent hemoptysis necessitated a right upper sleeve lobectomy in one, a right upper lobe lobectomy and right lower wedge resection in one, a right middle lobectomy in one, and wedge resection of the right upper lobe in one. Conclusions Endobronchial histoplasmosis may mimic primary bronchogenic carcinoma, presenting as a fixed obstructing endobronchial lesion associated with hemoptysis; the latter potentially necessitating surgical intervention. Endobronchial histoplasmosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of obstructing endobronchial lesions associated with hemoptysis, especially when prior and(or) concurrent biopsies fail to disclose malignancy.