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Updated: May 19, 2026

Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
Published on: March 3, 2023
An unusual cause of a pulmonary opacity in a visitor to the UK
Beatrice Anne Marie Downie1, Gareth Rosser, Catherine Mary Atkin
1Department of Cardiology, Hillingdon Hospital, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK.
Abstract:
A 64-year-old man, resident in Arizona for 3 years, presented with a week-long history of a dry cough and 'flu-like symptoms'. He had recently been renovating his house. A chest radiograph showed a left mid-zone opacity. Investigations for lung cancer were performed and he underwent CT-guided biopsy of the lesion. A coccidioidal fungus known to cause 'Valley Fever' was isolated. Treatment with fluconazole led to a complete recovery. This fungal infection is endemic in parts of the USA and Mexico and usually presents with respiratory symptoms. Additional complications include disseminated disease and meningitis.
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