본문바로가기

Computed-Tomography Findings of Aspergilloma

Yong Woo Choi,Joonsoo Park,Hyun Hee Kwon
http://dx.doi.org/10.17966/KJMM.2017.22.4.188 Epub 2017 December 22

0
Cited By

Abstract





Keywords


Aspergilloma Aspergillosis Fungus ball



Aspergillosis is a mycotic disease caused by Aspergillus species, usually Aspergillus fumigatus[1]. Saprophytic aspergillosis, so called aspergilloma, is characterized by Aspergillus infection without other tissue invasion[2]. Aspergilloma typically leads to conglomeration of interrelated fungal hyphae admixed with mucus and cellular debris within a preexistent pulmonary cavity or bronchus[2]. At computed tomography (CT), mycetomas are characterized by the existence of a solid, round or oval mass with soft-tissue opacity within a lung cavity[2].


The "air crescent" sign is the mass that separated from the wall of the cavity by an airspace of variable size and shape[3]. Other causes of the air crescent sign include angioinvasive aspergillosis, echinococcal cyst, and rarely, tuberculosis, tuberculosis cavity, lung abscess, bronchogenic carcinoma, and P. carinii pneumonia[3]. The mass is typically spherical or ovoid, and usually moves when the patient changes position[2],[3]. In axial sections of CT scan shows a relatively thin walled cavity containing a hyperdense soft tissue accentuation with surrounding air lucency. Few fibrotic changes are seen surrounding the cavity (Fig. 1-A, B, C, D).


Aspergillosis is a serious complication that is frequently seen in immunocompromised patients[2]. Although CT findings in various type of pulmonary aspergillosis may be nonspecific, in the appropriate clinical setting, familiarity with the thin-section CT findings may help establish the specific diagnosis.


Figure #1

Fig. 1. A: The axial view of CT scan shows large cavitary nodule with air crescent formation in right upper lobe (Yellow arrow). B: The axial view of CT scan shows large cavity containing small fungus balls in left upper lobe (Yellow arrow). C: The axial view of CT scan shows large cavitary nodule with air crescent formation in right upper lobe (Yellow arrow). Few fibrotic changes are presented. D: The axial view of CT scan shows small cavitary nodule with air crescent formation in left upper lobe (Yellow arrow). Few fibrotic changes are presented.


References



1. Franquet T, Müller NL, Giménez A, Guembe P, de La Torre J, Bagué S. Spectrum of pulmonary Aspergillosis: Histologic, cinical, and radiologic findings. Radiographics 2001;21:825-837
Crossref  Google Scholar 

2. Godet C, Laurent F, Bergeron A, Ingrand P, Beigelman-Aubry C, Camara B, et al. CT imaging assessment of response to treatment in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. Chest 2016;150:139-147
Crossref 

3. Raju S, Ghosh S, Mehta AC. Chest CT sighs in pulmonary disease: A pictorial review. Chest 2017; 151:1356-1374
Google Scholar 

Congratulatory MessageClick here!

Download this article
Submit your research
Jump to: