title: Blastomycosis of the vocal folds with life-threatening upper airway obstruction: a case report.
abstract: Blastomycosis is a chronic fungal disease that primarily affects the lower respiratory tract. The acute inflammatory phase of the primary pulmonary infection is characterized by a lymphohematogenous spread to extrapulmonary sites, especially the skin. The presence of disseminated infection with Blastomyces dermatitidis in the larynx is unusual. In areas of the United States where this fungus is endemic, failure to consider laryngeal involvement might lead to inappropriate therapy and thus worsening inflammation and airway compromise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, USA.
authors.forename: Celso T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Ebeo
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Olive
authors.forename: Ryland P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Byrd
authors.forename: Girish
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mirle
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: Jay B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Mehta
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D001759:Blastomycosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000382:microbiology*