Pathophysiological implication of CT images of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.

Pathophysiological implication of CT images of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. Jpn J Infect Dis. 2015 Jul 10; Authors: Ando T, Tochigi N, Gocho K, Moriya A, Ikushima S, Kumasaka T, Takemura T, Shibuya K Abstract Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a refractory disorder that needs long-term antifungal treatment and occasionally results in fatal respiratory failure and hemoptysis. However, the pathological features of the disorder have not been thoroughly delineated. Thirty cases were therefore analyzed clinically and histologically to elucidate the pathophysiology of CPA. The subjects comprised 14 individuals that underwent surgical removal and 16 autopsy patients. No subject exhibited a severely immunocompromised state. Main symptoms included cough, hemosputum, and dyspnea. Chest CT findings revealed a cavity, cods of fungus, and consolidation and/or ground glass opacity (GGO). 27 serial CT scans showed enlarged consolidation and/or GGO (70%), dilatation of the cavity (26%), and extension to the opposite lung (32%). Histopathological findings revealed a cavity with ulceration, bronchitis, and various degrees of organizing pneumonia (OP) that were correlated with the area of consolidation and GGO of the CT scan. The essential pathophysiology of CPA can be understood as an active state of ulceration of the cavity and/or erosive bronchitis caused by contact with cods of fungus, which may play a significant role in the development ...
Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Tags: Jpn J Infect Dis Source Type: research