Unusual case of pyopneumothorax in Tennessee

South Med J. 2005 Nov;98(11):1139-41. doi: 10.1097/01.smj.0000184801.42016.4a.

Abstract

Rupture of a coccidioidal pulmonary cavity with subsequent pyopneumothorax is a rare clinical event, even in areas endemic for coccidioidomycosis. Our encounter with a patient diagnosed with this condition in northeast Tennessee serves notice to clinicians that coccidioidomycosis is indeed a traveling fungal disease, and practitioners must be alert to common and uncommon manifestations of infection associated with this fungus. A literature review pertaining to coccidioidal pyopneumothorax revealed that patients usually present with a recent onset of chest pain. Serologic testing and pleural fluid culture are highly useful, and management includes surgical intervention with or without antifungal therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Coccidioidomycosis / diagnosis*
  • Coccidioidomycosis / epidemiology
  • Empyema, Pleural / diagnosis*
  • Empyema, Pleural / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Hydropneumothorax / diagnosis
  • Hydropneumothorax / epidemiology
  • Hydropneumothorax / microbiology
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / diagnosis*
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Pneumothorax / diagnosis*
  • Pneumothorax / epidemiology
  • Pneumothorax / microbiology
  • Southwestern United States / epidemiology
  • Tennessee / epidemiology
  • Travel