title: Pulmonary blastomycosis: radiologic manifestations.
abstract: Blastomycosis, an airborne fungal disease with the lung the portal of entry, is endemic to the central and south central areas of the United States. The disease occurs in patients who range from asymptomatic to those with symptoms of acute pneumonia. Retrospective review of 27 cases from our institution revealed four well-defined radiographic patterns including air-space disease, nodular masses, interstitial disease, and cavitation. Some patients with air-space disease have symptoms of an acute pneumonia; more commonly they have no pulmonary symptoms. Air-space disease was the most frequent radiographic pattern in chronic blastomycosis with proved nonpulmonary disease; therefore, it cannot be regarded as indicative of early or acute blastomycosis. There was no relationship between the radiographic pattern and distribution, pulmonary symptomatology, or clinical stage of the disease. Our material does not support the previously suggested association of lower lobe air-space disease with early disease and upper lobe involvement with the chronic and often disseminated form. A more precise understanding of the variety of radiographic patterns and the spectrum of clinical presentations will facilitate diagnosis of pulmonary blastomycosis.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001759:Blastomycosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography