[Semi-invasive aspergillosis with involvement of the thoracic wall cured by itraconazole]

Abstract

Pulmonary aspergillosis invading the thoracic wall is rare and of sombre prognosis. We report the case of a 49-year old man who developed a pulmonary aspergilloma some time after lung resection and radiotherapy for bronchial adenocarcinoma. Surgical excision of the aspergilloma was followed by sternal, then costal aspergillosis. Conventional surgery and antifungal therapy failed, and the lesion stubbornly followed a chronic course until itraconazole therapy was instituted, resulting in a complete cure which still persists nearly 4 years after withdrawal of any chemotherapy.