EXTRAPULMONARY THORACIC DISEASE CAUSED BY BLASTOMYCES-DERMATITIDIS

A case of blastomycosis is reported involving the mediastinum and comp romising the plexus brachialis. The pathology, pathophysiology, and tr eatment of this patient and of a previously reported patient are discu ssed and compared with the characteristics of extrapulmonary thoracic disease caused by histoplasmosis. Because of the favorable response of these patients to prolonged antifungal therapy, blastomycosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of invasive extrapulmonary thoracic disease.