Skeletal coccidioidomycosis: imaging findings in 19 patients.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to describe the distribution and radiologic appearance of skeletal coccidioidomycosis in 19 documented cases.


METHODS
Medical records of 19 patients (17 men, 2 women; age range 17-62 years, mean age 34 years) with clinically confirmed skeletal coccidioidomycosis were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were studied with plain radiography (n = 19), skeletal scintigraphy (n = 6), computed tomography (CT) (n = 5), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (n = 1).


RESULTS
Multiple lesions were seen in 11 of 19 patients (58%). Of a total of 46 lesions, 27 (59%) were described as punched-out lytic, 10 (22%) as permeative/destructive, and 9 (17%) as involving a joint and/or disk space. Lesions were identified in almost every bone (with the exception of the facial bones, ulna, carpus, and fibula) and were most commonly found in the axial skeleton (20 of 46; 43%).


CONCLUSIONS
Skeletal coccidioidomycosis is frequently multicentric and may involve almost any bone. The axial skeleton is the most common site of involvement. Lesions are usually well demarcated but may present with an ill-defined border and permeative type of bone destruction, especially in the spine. Joint involvement is not uncommon. Plain radiographs are effective in the initial evaluation of bones and joints, scintigraphic studies can identify disseminated disease, and CT and MRI are effective in determining soft tissue involvement and spinal abnormalities.
Zeppa
M A
MA
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of California, Sacramento 95817, USA.
Laorr
A
A
Greenspan
A
A
McGahan
J P
JP
Steinbach
L S
LS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003047:Coccidioidomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed