Tracheal stent aspergillosis occurring after aortic allograft of the trachea

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Mycology
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Aspergillosis presents with diverse clinical forms, including severe invasive manifestations and less common but critical conditions requiring intensive care.
• Tracheal aspergilloma, a fungal ball in the trachea, is a rare complication that can lead to significant airway obstruction.

Approach:

• This study reports a unique case of tracheal aspergilloma obstructing the airway in a patient within the intensive care unit (ICU).
• The aspergilloma formed within a tracheal stent, a device previously implanted for tracheal cancer following an allograft procedure.
• Treatment involved a combination of local and systemic antifungal medications.

Key Points:

• Tracheal aspergilloma can cause life-threatening tracheal obstruction, particularly in patients with implants like tracheal stents.
• Successful management was achieved using a combined local and systemic antifungal treatment strategy.
• This case underscores the importance of considering fungal infections in complex airway obstruction scenarios.

Conclusions:

• Tracheal aspergilloma is a rare but serious complication that can occur in patients with tracheal stents.
• Prompt diagnosis and a combined therapeutic approach of local and systemic antifungals can lead to successful outcomes.
• Further research into endobronchial Aspergillus infections is warranted to improve patient management.