Pyopneumothorax Secondary to Aspergillus Infection: A Case Report

Abstract

A 32 -year- old male presented with complaints of fever, dry cough, breathlessness and right sided chest pain of two months duration. Chest radiograph showed right sided hydropneumothorax which revealed frank pus on diagnostic thoracocentesis, for which tube thoracostomy was done. Despite vigorous broad spectrum antibiotic coverage, postural drainage and chest physiotherapy, there was no clinical improvement. Further work up included serology, pleural fluid culture, closed as well as thoracoscopic guided pleural biopsy revealed growth of Aspergillus fumigatus. Patient was prescribed antifungal medication (Voriconazole) and subsequent thoracotomy with right sided pneumonectomy showed good clinical recovery.

Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis with Hydropneumothorax in a Patient Taking High-Dose Glucocorticoids

“…More rare respiratory complications such as a hydropneumothorax can occur, as demonstrated by the current case. Multiple cases of aspergillosis complicated by pneumothorax have previously been reported [ 4 – 7 ]. The purpose of this case report is to present an unusual case of IPA complicated with hydropneumothorax and to propose effective diagnostic methods and management of IPA.…”