Epidural abscess, vertebral destruction, and paraplegia caused by extending infection from an aspergilloma

Abstract

An aspergilloma developed in a lung cyst in a 53-year-old man. Aspergillus infection then contiguously spread to the epidural space, causing an abscess, vertebral destruction, and paraplegia at the level of T4. Chronic alcoholism, liver cirrhosis, and corticosteroid treatment may have been predisposing factors in this patient. Although Aspergillus epidural abscess has been described infrequently, this complication has not been described in association with an aspergilloma. Symptoms, signs, or roentgenographic or laboratory findings suggestive of vertebral or meningeal pathologic lesions in patients with aspergilloma should alert the physician to the possibility of contiguous spread of infection.