A Rare Case of Coccidioidal Vertebral Osteomyelitis Presenting as Extensive Retroperitoneal and Paraspinal Abscess

Abstract

Coccidioidomycosis is a systemic fungal infection caused by Coccidioides species which are soil-dwelling organisms endemic to the southwestern United States and Central and South America. Vertebral osteomyelitis is severe and even rarer manifestations of rare disseminated infections. We present a rare case of disseminated coccidioidomycosis with extensive retroperitoneal, paraspinal, and vertebral involvement in a young, otherwise healthy individual outside the endemic area.