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Computed-Tomography Findings of Aspergilloma

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



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Crossref 

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