Thoracic manifestations of aspergillosis

Abstract

The fungus Aspergillus can cause a variety of pulmonary disorders. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is characterized by eosinophilic pulmonary infiltrates, bronchiectasis and bronchial mucus plugs, and can progress to chronic pulmonary fibrosis. There are four additional variant forms of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, which may or may not be associated with aspergillus hypersensitivity. They are mucoid impaction of bronchi, pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophilia, bronchocentric granulomatosis, and extrinsic allergic alveolitis. Intracavitary aspergilloma (mycetoma, or fungus ball) is a noninvasive Aspergillus colonization of virtually any type of preexisting pulmonary cavity or cystic space. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a serious, usually fatal infection in patients being treated with immunosuppressions or who have chronic (malignant or nonmalignant) debilitating disease. Diagnosis of Aspergillus-caused pulmonary disorders is based on a combination of clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings, all of which should be known to the radiologist.