Clinical presentation, radiographic findings, and diagnostic methods of pulmonary blastomycosis: a review of 100 consecutive cases.

BACKGROUND

We sought to determine the relationship among radiographic findings, clinical presentation, and diagnostic testing of pulmonary blastomycosis.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of 100 consecutive patients with pulmonary blastomycosis.

RESULTS

Air-space infiltrates were the usual radiographic finding of pulmonary blastomycosis. Mass-like infiltrates were associated more with chronic than acute presentations. Air-space and mass-like infiltrate were predominately involved in the upper lobes. Sputum analysis made the initial diagnosis of blastomycosis most often. Acute and chronic presentations were not different between immunosuppressed patients and the remainder of the patients. In addition, infiltrates on chest radiographs in immunosuppressed patients were similar to the other patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In an endemic area, pulmonary blastomycosis should be considered for any pulmonary infiltrate, especially in the upper lobes. Sputum analysis in most cases aids in the diagnosis, but bronchoscopy and/or tissue biopsy should be considered if the suspicion of blastomycosis is high and sputum analysis is inconclusive, negative, or not possible. Follow-up with chest radiographs after antifungal therapy is reasonable until complete resolution or fibrotic changes in patients with pulmonary blastomycosis.