Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Use of radiologic modalities in coccidioidal meningitis

Journal Article · · Arch. Intern. Med.; (United States)
The diagnostic utility of pentetate indium trisodium CSF studies, technetium Tc 99m brain scans, and computerized tomographic (CT) scans was evaluated in eight patients in whom coccidioidal meningitis developed following a dust storm in the Central Valley of California. The 111In flow studies and the CT scans demonstrated hydrocephalus in five patients with clinical findings suggesting this complication. Ventriculitis has not previously been diagnosed before death in patients with coccidioidal meningitis; however, it was demonstrated in two patients by the technetium Tc 99m brain scan. The finding that communicating hydrocephalus occurs early in meningitis and interferes with CSF flow into infected basilar regions has important therapeutic implications in that antifungal agents injected into the lumbar subarachnoid space may not reach these regions.
OSTI ID:
5942606
Journal Information:
Arch. Intern. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Arch. Intern. Med.; (United States) Vol. 141:1; ISSN AIMDA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English