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Coccidioides immitis Cervical Lymphadenitis Complicated by Esophageal Fistula.

Michael LoudinDaniel R ClayburghMorgan Hakki
Published in: Case reports in infectious diseases (2016)
Coccidioidomycosis (valley fever) is caused by the dimorphic fungi Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii. Most infections are asymptomatic or result in self-limited pneumonia; extrapulmonary dissemination via either hematogenous or lymphatic spread is rare. Here, we present a case of cervical C. immitis lymphadenitis that resulted in fistula formation to the esophagus via mediastinal extension. This case highlights a very unusual extrapulmonary manifestation of coccidioidomycosis, the difficulty in diagnosing coccidioidal infection when it is not suspected, and the importance of obtaining a thorough exposure history to assist with diagnosis.
Keyphrases
  • lymph node
  • pulmonary embolism
  • extracorporeal membrane oxygenation