Bone and gallium scanning in the evaluation of disseminated coccidioidomycosis

Bone and gallium scans were performed on 79 patients to determine the presence and extent of disseminated coccidioidomycosis. Bone scans appeared to be more sensitive than skeletal radiographs or gallium scans in determining the extent of coccidioidal bone involvement. The gallium scan was useful only in the identification of coccidioidal tissue abscesses. All patients with clinical evidence suggestive of dissemination and all patients with poor prognostic factors who are to receive amphotericin B therapy should be evaluated with a bone scan.