title: Imaging spectrum of CNS coccidioidomycosis: prevalence and significance of concurrent brain and spinal disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and significance of concurrent coccidioidal brain and intraspinal disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective imaging review of 23 patients with proven coccidioidal CNS meningitis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients had intracranial abnormalities, and 86% (19/22) who underwent spinal imaging had signs of intraspinal disease, including leptomeningeal enhancement (84%), arachnoiditis (63%), and cord signal abnormalities (37%); seven of 15 patients (47%) who underwent myelography had complete spinal blocks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high prevalence of concurrent brain and intraspinal coccidioidomycosis supports a low threshold for spinal imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, 751 S Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA 95128, USA. jchunglammering@gmail.com
authors.forename: Jeanne C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lammering
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iv
authors.forename: Nidhi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Rajul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pandit
authors.forename: Mahesh R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003047:Coccidioidomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media