PET/CT: First-Line Exam To Assess Disease Extent of Disseminated Coccidioidomycosis

Abstract

Coccidioidomycosis is an infection caused by inhalation of the Coccidioides fungus. Most infections remain subclinical or are confined to the pulmonary system. Disseminated disease is rare. Traditionally, a combination of imaging modalities have been utilized to determine disease extent. We suggest F18-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT as a single first-line imaging exam to assess disease extent. We present a case of disseminated coccidioidomycosis to the lung, mediastinum, soft tissues, and skeletal system. To our knowledge, no prior case reports demonstrate such widespread disease utilizing PET/CT.