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Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis
Published on: March 9, 2018
Chronic necrotising pulmonary aspergillosis: an uncommon aetiology of pneumothorax
François-Pierrick Desgranges1, Romain Hernu1, François Philit2
1Department of Réanimation Médicale, Groupement Hospitalier Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France.
Abstract:
Pneumothorax is a frequent cause of admission in an emergency department. It can be due to a leakage of air from an air-filled lung cavitation into the pleural space. We report the unusual case of pneumothorax in a patient with a pulmonary cavitary infectious process mimicking tuberculosis. A 30-year-old asthmatic man, treated for several years with low-dose inhaled corticosteroids, presented a complete left tension pneumothorax and chronic necrotising pulmonary aspergillosis that mimicked initial pulmonary tuberculosis. Antifungal treatment by voriconazole was started and continued for 1 year, with a favourable outcome. This case highlights that chronic necrotising pulmonary aspergillosis is a diagnosis that should be considered in patients with a clinical presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis or in patients experiencing pneumothorax, especially in the context of corticosteroid treatment.
Insights
Pneumothorax can arise from lung cavitation. This case shows chronic necrotising pulmonary aspergillosis mimicking tuberculosis, leading to pneumothorax, especially in corticosteroid users.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Pneumothorax is a common emergency department admission, often caused by air leakage into the pleural space.
- Pulmonary cavitary lesions can present with diverse etiologies, sometimes mimicking infectious processes like tuberculosis.
- Inhaled corticosteroid use is associated with an increased risk of opportunistic fungal infections.
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