• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.70-75
• /
• 2001

Aspergillosis refers to an infection with any species from the genus Aspergillus. Pleural aspergillosis is an uncommon disease with less than 30 cases having been reported in the literature since 1958. The etiologic factors for this aspergillosis are preexisting pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchopleural fistula, pleural drainage, and a lung resection. Surgical removal of the aspergillus-infected pleura is the main treatment for managing this disease. We have experienced two cases of pleural aspergillosis as a complication of a preexisting chronic empyema. The chest radiographs showed a pyopneumothorax with cavitation and the chest computed tomographic scans revealed a loculated pyopneumothorax with cavity formation suggesting a bronchopleural fistula. A grossly purulent fluid was extracted by thoracentesis, and Aspergillus fumigatus was grown from a fungus culture of the fluid. A decortication, wedge resection with a pleurectomy and a pleuropneumonectomy were performed. The postoperative course was satisfactory and the patients have been in good condition up to now. Pleural aspergillosis is a very rare and potentially life-threatening disease. However, good result without significant complication were obtained by treatment with systemic antifungal agents and surgical removal.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.691-694
• /
• 2011

Purpose: With an increase in the population of immunocompromised patients, the incidence of maxillary sinus aspergillus infection has also escalated. Maxillary sinus aspergillosis is generally extended to the sinus antrum, base or thin orbital wall and ethmoid air cell region. We experienced a case of maxillary sinus aspergillosis which was extended directly to the soft tissue of the cheek. Methods: A 46-year-old man with acute myelogenous leukemia was consulted for the defect of the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus, and cheek. Radiologic and histologic findings were consistent with invasive maxillary sinus aspergillosis. The otolaryngology department performed debridement via endoscopic sinus surgery first. Coverage of the resulting defect in the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus and its inner layer was undergone by the plastic and reconstructive surgery department, using a pedicled superficial temporal fascia flap and a split thickness skin graft. The remaining skin defect of the cheek was covered with a local skin flap. Results: The patient went through an uneventful recovery. There was no recurrence during 6 months of follow-up. Conclusion: Maxillary sinus aspergillosis usually involves the orbit or the gingiva but in some cases it may directly invade soft tissues of the cheek. Such an atypical infection extending into the cheek may lead to a large soft tissue defect requiring coverage. Thus, any undiagnosed soft tissue defect involving the cheek or maxillofacial area, especially in immunocompromised patients, should be evaluated for aspergillosis. We present this rare case, with a review of the related literature.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.131-137
• /
• 1983

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.40 no.9
• /
• pp.617-623
• /
• 2007

Background: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, a frequent fungal infection in immunocompromised patients, is known to have a poor prognosis despite the use of antifungal therapy in leukemic patients. We studied the outcome of surgical resection of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis where bleeding tendency, localized recurrence of infection, and incidence could be reduced. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed 14 patients with a hematological malignancy where invasive pulmonary aspergillosis was diagnosed during the 10 years between 1998 and 2007. From the medical records, we reviewed the type and treatment of the hematological malignancy, including the diagnostic methods of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, the preoperative hematological conditions and their management, and the surgical methods and records. We also analyzed the development of postoperative complications and patient mortality, the recurrence of postoperative invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, and if the patients had a bone marrow transplant. Result: Fourteen patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and a hematological malignancy underwent a pulmonary lobectomy. One patient had a complication of bronchopleural fistula, but there were no other serious complications such as bleeding or wound infection, and none of the patients died postoperatively. Conclusion: We have shown that pulmonary lobectomy is a safe and effective therapy for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with hematological malignancies that allow further treatment of the hematological malignancy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.26 no.9
• /
• pp.696-700
• /
• 1993

Pulmonary aspergillosis is relatively rare disease, most commonly presenting pre-existing cavitary disease. This investigation is designed to illustrate the clinical features, preoperative diagnosis and surgical role in the management of this disease. In retrospective review of opeative cases since Jan. 1988, total 16 cases were analysis. Peak incidence of age lies in the 3rd & 5th decade[81.3%].The common presenting symptoms were hemoptysis & blood tinged sputum[90.9%] & all cases had a history of treatment with antituberculous drugs, but the tuberculosis was revealed in only 3 cases in the pathologic studies on specimen after resection. The locations of lesion were upper lobes in 13 cases, lower lobe in 2 cases, and left whole lobe in 1 case. The operative procedures for treatment of aspergillosis were performed. The lobectomy was performed in 7 cases, lobectomy & segmentectomy in 2 cases, lobectomy & decortication in 2 cases, segmentectomy in 3 cases, bilobectomy & segmentectomy in 1 case and pneumonectomy in 1 case. There was one death due to respiratory insufficiency 21 days later,postoperatively, and empyemas & residual space problems were developed in 2 & 3 cases,respectively. The empyemas were treated with open thoracostomy and the dead spaces was filled with granulation tissues within 6 months. During follow up, there was no recurrence. In conclusion, surgical resection is the treatment of choice for symptomatic aspergillosis and needed in asymptomatic patient to prevent possible fatal sequelae in the future.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.544-547
• /
• 1997

We have experienced a case of pleural aspergillosis. A 50 year old female complained of malaise, anorexia, coughing with sputum, and right sided pleuritic chest pain of two weeks' duration. About ten years ago, she had been treated for pulmonary tuberculosis with medication. Chest radiography showed right pyopneumothorax with cavitation in the rig t upper lung and Chest computed topography revealed right loculated pyopneumothorax with cavity formation suggesting bronchopleural fistula. Decortication and wedge resection with pleurectomy were performed. The postoperative course was satisfactory and has been in good condition up to now. Pleural aspergillosis is a very rare and potentially life-threatening disease, but we have had good results without significant complications by treatment with systemic antifungal drugs and surgical operation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.52 no.4
• /
• pp.420-422
• /
• 2012

Cerebral aspergillosis is rare and usually misdiagnosed because its presentation is similar to that of a tumor. The correct diagnosis is usually made intra-operatively. Cerebral abscess with fungal infection is extremely rare and few cases have been reported, but it carries a poor prognosis. A 73 year-old man presented with decreased visual acuity and paresis of the right cranial nerve III. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a mass in the right cavernous sinus, extened to the anterior crainial fossa and the superior orbital fissure. During surgery, a well encapsulated pus pocket was found, and histopathological examination of the mass resulted in the diagnosis of aspergillosis. Despite appropriate anti-fungal treatment, the patient eventually died from fatal cerebral ischemic change and severe brain swelling. The correct diagnosis of cerebral aspergillosis can only be achieved by histopathological examination because clinical and radiological findings including MRI are not specific. Surgical intervention and antifungal therapy should be considered the optimal treatment. Early diagnosis and aggressive antifungal treatment provide good results.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.726-733
• /
• 1996

Aspergillosis of the maxillary sinus was rare disease, but it was increasing tendency with overuse antibiotics, streoid hormones, and anticanncerous agents. The clinical features and X-ray findings are similar to chronic suppurative paranasal sinusitis. Aspergillosis of the maxillary siuses may occur as a chronic diseae in an otherwise healthy person. This infection is usually confined to a single paranasal sinus, the maxillary antrum, though it can involve the orbit and may initiate with findings of proptosis and decreased vision. The disease is characterized by a wide range of initial symptoms, and should be considered as a possible diagnosis in sinusitis refractory to antibiotics and antral lavage. The choice of treatment of this disease is radical surgery and adjunctive systemic antifungal therapy. We experienced a case of right maxillary sinus aspergillosis in a 34 years old male who has dull pain on Rt. zygoma area, and a case of left maxillary sinus aspergillosis in a 30 years old male who had been suffered from nasal stiffness and frontal headache for 3-4 years. We reported two cases with review of literature.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.456-461
• /
• 1991

This is a case report of invasive aspergillosis of the right maxillary antrum and the left lung in a 43 year-old male patient with diabetes mellitus and liver cirrhosis. The results were as follows. 1. Invasive aspergilliosis should be considered in compromised patients who have nasal symptomatology, infraorbital swelling and pain. 2. Invasive aspergillosis is a rapidly progressive mycotic infection of the sinus which may extend to the orbit, nasal cavity and cheek. 3. Surgical intervention is particularly urgent in orbital aspergillosis in patient in whom the eyesight is still preserved. 4. Diagnosis depends upon pathological demonstration of tissue invasion by organism with the typical morphology of aspergillus species. 5. Long-term antifungal drugs should be administrated postoperatively in pathint with invasive aspergillosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.36 no.11
• /
• pp.874-877
• /
• 2003

Necrotizing bronchial aspergillosis usually occurs in the immumocompromised host. Aspergillus invades bronchial epithelium and forms endobronchial mass or endobronchial stenosis. A 78-year-old male patient with diabetus mellitus complaining of dyspnea and cough was admitted to our hospital. Plain chest X-ray and chest computed tomogram showed a large endobronchial mass and total collapse of left upper lobe of the lung. Bronchoscopic biopsy of the endobronchial mass revealed chronic inflammation. To confirm the endobronchial mass, we performed sleeve lobectomy of left upper lobe of the lung. Histologically the mass was diagnosed as necrotizing bronchial aspergillosis. We report a case of necrotizing bronchial aspergillosis in an elderly man who has diabetus mellitus with review of the literature.