Derivation and Validation of a Scoring System to Distinguish Cryptococcosis and Adenocarcinoma in Pulmonary Nodules

Pulmonary cryptococcosis often manifests as isolated or multiple nodules, easily mimicking lung cancer clinically and radiologically, which ascribes the poor sensitivity of Cryptococcus culture and rarely positive of Cryptococcal antigen test in the absence of disseminated disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a predictive scoring system from the perspective of available clinical indicators, to differentiate cryptococcosis from adenocarcinoma in pulmonary nodules, which might be beneficial for the delicacy management of pulmonary nodules.