Radiographic findings of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis in neonates and infants

Radiographic findings in four recent cases of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis are reported. Focal consolidation and diffuse nodular densities were observed at one point during the course of the illness in all four patients. Pleural effusion or mediastinal adenopathy was not seen. Hilar adenopathy developed in one patient after 61/2 months. Hyperaeration was noted in all patients. One patient survived the pneumonia and had subsequent clearing of the infiltrates. Cavitation was not seen in any of the patients. The insidious onset and nonspecific and often misleading clinical and laboratory findings in pulmonary coccidioidomycosis infection in neonates and infants may seriously delay the correct diagnosis in this highly fatal disease. A knowledge of the characteristic radiographic manifestations of this pulmonary disease may be helpful to the clinician.