Pulmonary blastomycosis.

Abstract

Pulmonary blastomycosis has a number of chest radiographic manifestations that may closely resemble those of tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, and other fungal diseases. Radiographic presentations of disease include airspace consolidation, nodular opacities, air bronchograms, masslike lesions, and military disease. Because the geographic distribution of blastomycosis overlaps that of histoplasmosis, distinguishing one from the other on the basis of the radiographic features may be difficult. In blastomycosis, the paucity of calcifications, lymphadenopathy, and cavitation is striking. The article reviews the clinical and radiologic features of blastomycosis and provides illustrative cases to enhance understanding of this disease.