Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in three patients with normal chest x-ray films

Abstract

Three patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis had normal chest x-ray films at the time of dianosis. None had a history of pneumonitis or abnormal chest x-ray films in the past. On the basis of clinical and immunologic data that indicated the presence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, bronchograms were obtained, which revealed evidence of proximal bronchiectasis in each patient. These early changes in bronchial architecture were not evident on the plain x-ray films of the chest but were revealed by bronchographic study. The diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis may be made even in the presence of normal chest x-ray films.