Operative management of chronic coccidioidomycosis.

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Surgical Pathology
• Mycology

Background:

• Chronic coccidioidomycosis presents diverse clinical manifestations.
• Surgical intervention is sometimes necessary for diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of surgical management for chronic coccidioidomycosis.
• To highlight the surgeon's role in diagnosing and managing this fungal infection.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of fourteen patients with chronic coccidioidomycosis.
• Analysis of nine patients who underwent operative treatment for therapeutic and diagnostic reasons.

Main Results:

• Operative treatment was performed on nine of fourteen patients.
• Complications associated with surgery were minimal.
• No instances of disease reactivation or spread were observed post-operatively.

Conclusions:

• Surgical intervention is a viable option for managing chronic coccidioidomycosis.
• Surgeons play a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of this disease.
• Familiarity with the natural history and varied presentations of coccidioidomycosis is essential for surgeons.