Rationale:
Cryptococcosis presenting as endobronchial obstruction and lung collapse is an extremely rare occurrence. While these patients were treated with antifungal agents, unfortunately, half of them showed a suboptimal response.
Patient concerns:
A 45-year-old immunocompetent male was admitted to the hospital due to a cough, yellow phlegm, and dyspnea persisting for 5 months. Chest computer tomography revealed a mass in the right main bronchus accompanied by right lower lobe atelectasis.
Diagnoses:
Endobronchial cryptococcosis presenting as endobronchial obstruction and lung collapse.
Interventions:
Early rigid bronchoscopic therapy was performed to resect endobronchial obstruction, which combined with antifungal agent.
Outcomes:
The patient recovered well with completely clinical and radiologic resolution at 1 year follow-up.
Lessons:
This case provides a good example of successful utilization of the early respiratory interventional therapy combined with antifungal agent in obstructive endobronchial cryptococcosis.