The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 30, 433-438, Copyright © 1980 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Surgical manifestations and results of treatment of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis
NW Salomon, R Osborne and JG Copeland
Fifty consecutive patients with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis undergoing
operation in an eight-year period were analyzed with regard to clinical and
roentgenographic indications, surgical procedure, complications, and
recurrence. Surgical indications could be divided into operation necessary
primarily for diagnosis (22 out of 50, 44%) and operation because of
suspected residual complications of coccidioidomycosis requiring therapy
(28 out of 50, 56%). Of 16 patients with solitary nodules, 2 had lobectomy
and 14 had wedge resection with no recurrence. Of 24 patients with
coccidioidomycosis cavities, 14 underwent lobectomy and 10 had lesser
resections, with three recurrences. Results indicate that (1) resection for
primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis for both diagnosis and therapy is
associated with low perioperative risk, (2) routine administration of
amphotericin is not indicated, (3) skin tests, serological study,
bronchoscopy, and mediastinoscopy may not be diagnostic, and (4) lobectomy
is not necessarily indicated since lesser resections are associated with
equally low recurrence and complications rates.