VERTEBRAL BLASTOMYCOSIS WITH PARAVERTEBRAL ABSCESS - REPORT OF 8 CASES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Bone is the third most frequent site of disease in patients with blast omycosis, and the vertebrae are among the bones affected most often. W e describe the clinical features and treatment of eight patients with vertebral blastomycosis and review the literature regarding this disea se, All eight patients had destructive vertebral lesions evident on ra diographs, and all had clinical or radiographic evidence of a contiguo us abscess. The lower thoracic or lumbar regions were affected most of ten. Fever and skin lesions typical of blastomycosis were variably pre sent. All but one patient had an abnormal chest radiograph. Treatment included long-term antifungal therapy and drainage of large fluid coll ections. Five of the eight patients were cured of their disease. Of th e other 3 patients, 1 is still receiving therapy and is probably cured , 1 died of blastomycosis, and the status of 1 is unknown. In areas of endemicity, blastomycosis should be a diagnostic consideration for an y patient with a destructive vertebral lesion.