Learning objectives
To describe the different patterns of pulmonary aspergillosis and their radiologic findings using MDCT,
focusing on the who (group of patients affected),
the what (real etiology for each pattern),
and the how (clinical symptoms that make us suspect fungal infection).
Background
Pulmonary aspergillosis is a fungal infection caused by Aspergillus (usually Fumigatus spp).
This saprophytic fungus is ubiquitous (that is,
present everywhere),
and,
after spores’ inhalation,
it causes disease according mostly to the immunologic status of the host and its preexisting lung condition.
Thus,
we can divide pulmonary aspergillosis into four subtypes:
- Mycetoma (saprophytic)
- Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA,
allergic reaction)
- Semi-invasive (chronic necrotizing aspergillosis)
- Invasive aspergillosis (airway-invasive or angioinvasive)
Findings and procedure details
Findings and proceduredetails
Before learning the radiologic findings for each kind of presentation of pulmonary aspergillosis,
we need to know some basics about them:
- Who do they affect?
- What does the fungus do?
- How is the clinical presentation?
Then we will focus on their appearance using MDCT,
trying to perform differential diagnosis with other entities.
1.SAPROPHYTIC INFECTION (MYCETOMA OR ASPERGILLOMA) Fig. 3
Saprophytic infection (with no tissue invasion) leads to formation of conglomerates of fungal hyphae,
mucus and celullar debris in the...
Conclusion
Pulmonary aspergillosis is a fungal infection whose virulence depends on hosts’ immunologic status,
so clinical history is really important for radiologists in order to make a correct diagnosis.
References
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F.
(2014).Pulmonary aspergillosis | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.org.
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(2012).EPOS™.
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2017].
Pubs.rsna.org.
(2001).Spectrum of Pulmonary Aspergillosis: Histologic,
Clinical,
and Radiologic Findings | RadioGraphics.
[online] Available at: http://pubs.rsna.org/doi/abs/10.1148/radiographics.21.4.g01jl03825 [Accessed 20 Jan.
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Webb,
W.
and Higgins,
C.
(2011).Thoracic imaging.
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