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Blastomycosis in otolaryngology: Review of a large series

1993; Wiley; Volume: 103; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1288/00005537-199301000-00010

1531-4995

Paul A. Reder, H. Bryan Neel,

Head and Neck Anomalies

Abstract Blastomycosis is a fungal disease whose signs, symptoms, and roentgenographs findings may suggest pneumonia, cancer, tuberculosis, or other fungal infections. Blastomycosis has a variable clinical course; it primarily affects the lower respiratory tract, although extrapulmonary manifestations are common. To determine the frequency of head and neck manifestations, we reviewed the records of patients with blastomycosis seen at the Mayo Clinic from 1960 to 1990 and found that involvement of the skin and mucosal surfaces, including the larynx, was common. Gross and histopathologic features of the lesions often resemble those of well‐differentiated squamous cell carcinoma; thus, overly aggressive therapy may be mistakenly instituted. The clinical features, morphologic findings, and diagnosis of blastomycosis are discussed, and the importance of obtaining and handling specimens correctly is emphasized.