Case report: Miliary blastomycosis with cerebral involvement

Abstract

A patient was diagnosed as having labyrinthitis and an intracranial brain tumor. At the time a very fine nodularity to the bronchopulmonary markings was noted on the chest roentgenogram. Subsequent follow up examination revealed diffuse nodular densities throughout both lung fields having the appearance of a miliary distribution. Antituberculous therapy was begun empirically, but the patient expired within three weeks. At autopsy multiple granulomas were found in the cerebrum, cerebellum and meninges. By culture and histologic examination, these were determined to contain Blastomyces dermatitidis. The lungs contained numerous small granulomata almost to the exclusion of native pulmonary architecture. Lesions were also seen in spleen, lymph nodes and pancreas.