title: Clinical and imaging findings in five dogs with intracranial blastomycosis (Blastomyces dermatiditis).
abstract: Fungal infections affecting the central nervous system are rare. The purpose of this study was to describe clinical and imaging findings in dogs with intracranial blastomycosis (Blastomyces dermatiditis). The radiology database was searched retrospectively for patients with a diagnosis of intracranial blastomycosis which had computed tomography performed as part of their diagnostic work-up. Medical records and imaging studies were reviewed. Five dogs met the inclusion criteria. Major presenting complaints were stertor/nasal discharge (n=2), exophthalmos (n=1), and seizures (n=2). Clinical and laboratory findings were variable. Computed tomographic examination revealed a single contrast-enhancing intra-axial mass (n=1), a nasal mass disrupting the cribriform plate (n=3), and an intracranial mass extending into the orbit and nasal cavity (n=1). Findings in intracranial blastomycosis in dogs are variable, and the disease may mimic other inflammatory disorders or neoplasia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA. shecht@utk.edu
authors.forename: Silke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hecht
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Joanne R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001758:Blastomyces / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001759:Blastomycosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D020314:Central Nervous System Fungal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents