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Published on: March 9, 2018

Aspergillus Infection of a Postoperative Thoracic Cavity

Mio Sugino1, Yusaku Kusaba1, Masaaki Nagano2

  • 1National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Respiratory Medicine Tokyo Japan.

Respirology Case Reports
|May 11, 2026
PubMed

Insights

A postoperative thoracic cavity infection caused by Aspergillus occurred in a 72-year-old man after lobectomy. This rare Aspergillus pleurisy highlights a potential complication following thoracic surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Postoperative complications following thoracic surgery can be severe.
  • Aspergillus infections, while uncommon, pose a significant risk in immunocompromised or surgically altered patients.
  • Thoracic cavity infections require prompt diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a rare case of Aspergillus infection in a postoperative thoracic cavity.
  • To emphasize Aspergillus pleurisy as a potential complication after lobectomy.
  • To discuss diagnostic findings and implications for clinical practice.

Main Methods:

  • Case presentation of a 72-year-old male patient.
  • Review of imaging studies including CT scans showing thoracic cavity abnormalities.
  • Analysis of intraoperative findings during fenestration, including pleural debris and fungal elements.

Main Results:

  • The patient developed Aspergillus infection within the thoracic cavity post-lobectomy.
  • Imaging revealed significant thickening of the cavity wall and a bronchopleural fistula.
  • Fenestration confirmed the presence of purulent material and fungal masses, indicative of Aspergillus pleurisy.

Conclusions:

  • Aspergillus infection can manifest as pleurisy in the postoperative thoracic cavity.
  • Early recognition of imaging and intraoperative findings is crucial for diagnosing this complication.
  • This case underscores the importance of considering fungal infections in persistent postoperative thoracic symptoms.
Keywords:
Aspergillus pleurisybronchopleural fistulafenestrationpostoperative complicationthoracic cavity

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