Orbital Osteomyelitis and Periorbital Abscess Due to Coccidioidomycosis Following Trauma

Ocular involvement due to Coccidioides sp.is extremely rare, and most patients with disseminated coccidioidomycosis present as extrapulmonary or disseminated disease that involves the skin, bone joints, and central nervous system. Here, we describe a 13-year-old previously healthy Black male residing in an area endemic for coccidioidomycosis. The child presented to our hospital with left eye pain, diplopia, and proptosis two weeks after being struck on the left side of the face with a basketball. He was initially presumed to have bacterial orbital cellulitis and was started on empiric antibiotics. Due to severe disease, he underwent surgical drainage and debridement. Fungal stain from the intraoperative specimen showed spherules with endosporulation, and fungal culture revealed Coccidioides immitis. Based on this, the child was diagnosed with orbital osteomyelitis and periorbital abscess due to coccidioidomycosis. He was started on intravenous liposomal amphotericin B and fluconazole. Antibiotics were discontinued. He underwent additional investigations to assess for sites of dissemination. His nuclear medicine bone scintigraphy and cerebrospinal fluid studies were negative. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest demonstrated multiple small pulmonary nodules. His Coccidioides complement fixation(CF) titer was 1:32. The patient completed one month of treatment with liposomal amphotericin B and fluconazole. Our case highlights the need for healthcare professionals to consider coccidioidomycosis when evaluating patients with orbital disease as delays in the diagnosis may result in visual loss and central nervous system involvement. Prompt diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment are crucial to reduce long-term morbidity and mortality.