Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
10:38
Deciphering and Imaging Pathogenesis and Cording of Mycobacterium abscessus in Zebrafish Embryos
Published on: September 9, 2015
10.0K
Disseminated blastomycosis presenting as mastoiditis and epidural abscess
The West Virginia Medical Journal
|March 20, 2014
Summary
Blastomycosis, a fungal infection, rarely affects the temporal bone. This case highlights disseminated blastomycosis presenting as mastoiditis and epidural abscess, emphasizing early diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Blastomycosis is a systemic fungal infection primarily affecting the lungs.
- Head and neck manifestations, including laryngeal, oral, and nasal mucosa involvement, are documented.
- Temporal bone involvement in blastomycosis is exceptionally rare.
Observation:
- This report details a rare case of disseminated blastomycosis.
- The infection presented as mastoiditis and an epidural abscess.
- This presentation is unusual for blastomycosis, a fungus typically affecting the lungs.
Findings:
- Disseminated blastomycosis can manifest in the temporal bone.
- Mastoiditis and epidural abscess are potential, albeit rare, presentations.
- The causative fungal agent, Blastomyces, can spread systemically.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis of blastomycosis is crucial for effective management.
- Prompt treatment initiation is vital for optimal patient outcomes.
- Awareness of rare presentations like temporal bone involvement is important for clinicians.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction
21
A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial...
21
01:31Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
1.8K
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
1.8K
01:22Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
15
Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
15
01:26Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology
24
Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
24
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
2.5K
Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
2.5K
01:14Atypical Pneumonia
84
Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease...
84