Mediastinal cryptococcal abscess diagnosed by EUS-FNA

Primary Pancreatic Candidiasis Mimicking Pancreatic Cancer in an Immunocompetent Patient

Pancreatic candidiasis can develop in patients with acute pancreatitis, compromised immune responses, or iatrogenic intervention. This paper reports a case of pancreatic candidiasis presenting as a solid pancreatic mass in a patient without the risk factors. A previously healthy 37-year-old man visited the emergency department with left flank pain. Abdominal CT revealed a 5 cm, irregular heterogeneous enhancing mass accompanied by a left adrenal mass. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) could not discriminate pancreatic cancer from infectious disease. A laparoscopic exploration was performed for an accurate diagnosis. After distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy and left adrenalectomy, pancreatic candidiasis and adrenal cortical adenoma were diagnosed based on the pathology findings. His condition improved after the treatment with fluconazole. This paper reports a case of primary pancreatic candidiasis mimicking pancreatic cancer in an immunocompetent patient with a review of the relevant literature.

Cryptococcus: A Rare Cause of Parotid Abscess in Liver Cirrhosis

A 61-year-old man with decompensated liver cirrhosis presented with a parotid mass. Fine-needle aspiration of the parotid gland revealed Cryptococcus neoformans. Lumbar puncture confirmed cryptococcal meningitis. Multiple splenic lesions with radiographic features consistent with cryptococcal splenic abscesses were also seen. Despite antifungal therapy, the patient died 17 days after infection was confirmed. This is the first report of a cryptococcal parotid abscess in a patient with liver cirrhosis.