Analysis of various treatments for pulmonary aspergillomas

The objective of this study was to analyze the results of various treatments for pulmonary aspergilloma and to determine the surgical indications. A total of 41 patients with pulmonary aspergilloma hospitalized at the National Minamifukuoka Chest Hospital between 1973 and 1999 were analyzed with regard to their response to treatment and long-term prognosis. Five asymptomatic patients who were untreated demonstrated no change in the clinical status of aspergilloma. Analysis of the short-term response revealed surgery to be the most effective treatment. Systemic and intracavitary injections of antifungal drugs were not definitely effective, although they had a positive effect in some patients. A survival analysis revealed that all eight patients who underwent surgery are still alive. Using the Cox proportional hazard model, it was found that the favorable prognostic factors were the absence of symptoms, the absence of a superimposed bacterial infection, and surgery. There were ten deaths: three from lung cancer and seven related to uncontrollable superimposed bacterial infections, often resulting in hemoptysis. We conclude that patients with asymptomatic pulmonary aspergillomas should be clinically observed for signs of the development of lung cancer, but do not require active treatment. On the other hand, patients who are symptomatic and have uncontrollable superimposed bacterial infection will benefit from surgery.