Apical fibrobullous lung disease in ankylosing spondylitis: case report and literature review

Abstract

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is associated with several unique pulmonary manifestations such as apical fibrobullous disease (AFBD), which is a rare extra-spinal complication, predominantly occurring in advanced disease. Infectious complications and differential diagnosis of cavitated lung lesions may be challenging, particularly in patients already submitted to immunosuppression. In this report, we present a low body-mass-index 47-year-old male patient, ex-smoker, with AS and severe joint involvement, medicated in the past with anti-TNF-α therapy, who was diagnosed with AFBD and developed pulmonary tuberculosis and later chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis. The patient died due to lung cavity major bleeding.