Surgical Management of Symptomatic Pulmonary Aspergilloma

Pulmonary aspergilloma is a potentially life-threatening disease resulting from the colonization of lung cavities by the ubiquitous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Complex aspergilloma, characterized by thick-walled cavities with surrounding parenchymal inflammation, is a risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality. Fifteen patients with symptomatic aspergilloma underwent major thoracic procedures at North Carolina Memorial Hospital between January 1, 1972, and December 31, 1983. Twelve of the patients had hemoptysis; in 7 it was recurrent and in 5, life threatening. Tuberculosis and sarcoidosis were the most common underlying causes of lung disease, and more than half of the patients had other coexistent serious medical illness. Eleven of the 15 patients were seen with complex aspergilloma; all of the 4 major complications and the 2 deaths occurred in these patients. Bronchopleural fistula with persistent air space was the most common serious complication, and required thoracoplasty in 3 patients. Nine patients, including 5 with complex aspergilloma, had no postoperative complications, and there were no recurrent symptoms in any of the 13 operative survivors over a mean follow-up of five years. It is concluded that aggressive pulmonary resection can provide effective long-term palliation in critically ill patients with symptomatic pulmonary aspergilloma.