Surgical treatment of multiple skull abscesses associated with coccidioidomycosis

Mycoses. 2004 Feb;47(1-2):69-71. doi: 10.1046/j.0933-7407.2003.00938.x.

Abstract

This case emphasizes that aggressive neurosurgical management may benefit patients with disseminated coccidioidomycosis and skull abscesses. Disseminated infection due to Coccidioides immitis, the causative agent of coccidioidomycosis, is difficult to treat and often requires prolonged antifungal therapy in addition to surgical debridement. We present a case of a young woman with disseminated coccidioidomycosis who had multiple skull lesions, two of which penetrated the skull and invaded the subgaleal and epidural spaces. Despite prolonged aggressive medical management, these lesions failed to resolve until they were surgically drained.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / drug therapy
  • Abscess / microbiology
  • Abscess / surgery*
  • Adult
  • Amphotericin B / administration & dosage
  • Amphotericin B / pharmacology
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Coccidioidomycosis / drug therapy
  • Coccidioidomycosis / surgery*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Fluconazole / administration & dosage
  • Fluconazole / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Liposomes
  • Osteomyelitis / drug therapy
  • Osteomyelitis / microbiology
  • Osteomyelitis / surgery
  • Skull*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Liposomes
  • Amphotericin B
  • Fluconazole