Aspergillus Flashcards
Chronic conditions associated with ABPA
Asthma and CF
Underlying etiology of ABPA
Hypersensitivity reaction
Define bronchiectasis
Irreversible dilatation of the bronchial tree
caused by chronic inflammation from recurrent repeated infections
Common (non-specific) CT finding seen with ABPA
Finger-in-glove sign
mucoid impaction of bronchiectatic airways
could also be called a bronchocele
Pathognomonic CT finding of ABPA
High-attenuation mucous (may be calcified)
subjective: brighter than paraspinal muscles
objective: HU > 70
Most common (2) and less common (2) causes of a pre-existing cavity for development of a mycetoma
Most common: TB and sarcoidosis
Less common: Bronchogenic cyst (congenital) and pneumatocele (post-infectious/traumatic)
Other names for aspergilloma (3)
Saprophytic aspergillosis
Mycetoma
Fungus ball
What is an aspergilloma?
Dependent conglomeration of cellular debris and fungal hyphae, within a pre-existing cavity
Most common symptoms of ABPA
Low grade fever
Recurrent wheezing
Productive cough
Most common symptom associated with an aspergilloma
Hemoptysis
but usually asymptomatic
Preferred management of an aspergilloma
Resection or embolization
Monod sign
Crescent of air surrounding an aspergilloma
Imaging findings of chronic necrotizing (semi-invasive) aspergillosis
Segmental areas of consolidation, cavitation and pleural thickening
Slowly progressive over months to years
Risk factors for chronic necrotizing aspergillosis (4)
Diabetes
Alcoholics
COPD
Bedbound
(often present with chronic fever and productive cough +/- intermittent hemoptysis)
