A Case of Endobronchial Aspergilloma Associated with Foreign Body in Immunocompetent Patient without Underlying Lung Disease

Abstract

Aspergillus causes a variety of clinical syndromes in the lung including tracheobronchial aspergillosis, invasive aspergillosis, chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and aspergilloma. Aspergilloma usually results from ingrowths of colonized Aspergillus in damaged bronchial tree, pulmonary cyst or cavities of patients with underlying lung diseases. There are a few reports on endobronchial aspergilloma without underlying pulmonary lesion. We have experienced a case of endobronchial aspergilloma associated with foreign body developed in an immunocompetent patient without underlying lung diseases. A 59-year-old man is being hospitalized with recurring hemoptysis for 5 months. X-ray and computed tomography scans of chest showed a nodular opacity in superior segment of left lower lobe. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed an irregular, mass-like, brownish material which totally obstructed the sub-segmental bronchus and a foreign body in superior segmental bronchus of the lower left lobe. Histopathologic examinations of biopsy specimen revealed fungal hyphae, characteristic of Aspergillus species.

Pediatric foreign body aspiration: A nidus for Aspergillus colonization

“…In the cases described in the literature, bronchial foreign body is thought to serve as the nidus for aspergilloma formation [1,5,8]. The cases in the published literature were discovered long after the foreign body aspiration event occurred (typically months to years), giving the aspergilloma ample time to form fully.…”

Characteristics and risk factor analysis of 410 cases of tracheobronchial tuberculosis

“…X-ray examinations have no specificity for the diagnosis of TBTB (10,11). However, chest CT scans with airway reconstruction techniques are able to show stenosis and obstruction in the bronchial lumen and clearly demonstrate the extent and scope of the bronchial stenosis or obstruction, revealing the changes in the bronchial walls more clearly.…”

A Rare Complication: Development of an Aspergilloma after Endobronchial Coil Placement in a COPD Patient

“…Foreign body-associated aspergilloma has previously been reported [11], and to our knowledge, only 1 recent case of endobronchial coil-related aspergilloma has been reported [5]. Both reports present a late complication of lung volume reduction therapy and highlight the possibility that endobronchial coil-associated aspergilloma might be underrecognized.…”