Aspergilloma of the lung

An aspergilloma (fungus ball) consists of masses of fungal mycelia and detritus that usually develop in preexisting lung cavities. The leading underlying lung disease is tuberculosis, followed by lung abscesses and bronchiectasis. The radiological picture is characteristic. The clinical symptom in most cases is mild hemoptysis; however, in some cases severe hemoptysis is the first clinical sign. Symptomatic aspergillomas should be treated surgically in the majority of the cases, but in the event of medical inoperability, systemic antifungal agents can be tried, or less invasive procedures such as cavernostomy or coiling of the bronchial arteries might be useful. © Springer Medizin Verlag 2009.