title: Extrapulmonary thoracic disease caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis.
abstract: A case of blastomycosis is reported involving the mediastinum and compromising the plexus brachialis. The pathology, pathophysiology, and treatment of this patient and of a previously reported patient are discussed and compared with the characteristics of extrapulmonary thoracic disease caused by histoplasmosis. Because of the favorable response of these patients to prolonged antifungal therapy, blastomycosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of invasive extrapulmonary thoracic disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville 37232.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Neuzil
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Loyd
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Lagerstrom
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hammon
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001759:Blastomycosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*