Bilateral adrenal histoplasmosis presenting as adrenal insufficiency in an immunocompetent host in the Philippines.
Ma Carrissa Abigail RoxasMark Anthony Santiago SandovalMaria Sonia SalamatPatrick Joseph MatiasNikko Paolo CabalSamantha S BartoloPublished in: BMJ case reports (2020)
Disseminated histoplasmosis, with the adrenal glands as being the only site of demonstrable disease in an immunocompetent adult, is a rare infection leading to adrenal insufficiency. This disease carries high mortality when unrecognised. We describe the first reported case of adrenal histoplasmosis in the Philippines in a 72-year-old immunocompetent, Filipino man who presented with a 3-month history of intermittent flank pain, weight loss and generalised weakness. His imaging demonstrated bilateral adrenal masses on ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced CT scan. The initial impression was adrenal cancer, however, fine-needle aspiration cytology revealed the presence of yeast cells and blood culture grew Histoplasma capsulatum The diagnosis of the case represents a diagnostic challenge in immunocompetent individuals because they manifest with non-specific symptoms. A heightened suspicion is therefore needed to prevent significant morbidity and mortality.
Keyphrases
- contrast enhanced
- fine needle aspiration
- magnetic resonance imaging
- computed tomography
- diffusion weighted
- weight loss
- ultrasound guided
- magnetic resonance
- squamous cell carcinoma
- cardiovascular disease
- type diabetes
- induced apoptosis
- dual energy
- bariatric surgery
- young adults
- case report
- high grade
- neuropathic pain
- risk factors
- image quality
- physical activity
- lymph node metastasis
- insulin resistance
- positron emission tomography
- cell proliferation
- oxidative stress
- mass spectrometry
- myasthenia gravis