Pulmonary cryptococcosis beyond human immunodeficiency virus: a five-year cohort study of diagnostic challenges, radiologic mimics, and clinical predictors

Pulmonary cryptococcosis may mimic malignancy and frequently presents without overt symptoms, contributing to diagnostic delays and surgical interventions. Recognition of its radiological patterns and clinical spectrum in non-HIV patients is essential for timely diagnosis and appropriate antifungal treatment. This study highlights the importance of considering cryptococcosis in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules, even in asymptomatic, immunocompetent individuals.