Different forms of pulmonary aspergillosis: A pictorial essay

• Published in: European journal of radiology Vol. 171; p. 111290
• Main Authors: Tamkeviciute, Laima, Tumenas, Augustinas, Zaveckiene, Jurgita, Irion, Klaus, Franquet, Tomas, Radike, Monika
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01.02.2024
• Subjects: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis; Aspergillosis; Chronic aspergillosis; Invasive aspergillosis; SAIA; CFPA; Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis; ABPA; AN; CCPA; CT; CPA; Aspergillosis; Chronic aspergillosis; IA; Invasive aspergillosis; COPD
• ISSN: 0720-048X; 1872-7727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2024.111290

[Display omitted] •Aspergillosis may present clinically in a non-specific manner.•The manifestation depends on patient’s immune status and underlying conditions.•Invasive and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis are the current forms, each having several distinct types.•A third group -related to hyper-reactivity reactions- is also distinguished.•Different forms and types have ancillary imaging findings, knowledge of which aids in a timely diagnosis. Pulmonary aspergillosis is a group of mycotic diseases affecting the lungs. The form of the disease mainly depends on the immune status of the patient and underlying conditions. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis usually affects immunocompromised patients - angio-invasive and airway-invasive forms are possible. Chronic aspergillosis usually appears in mildly immunosuppressed or immunocompetent patients with underlying structural lung changes and may have diverse forms: simple aspergilloma, chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis, chronic fibrosing pulmonary aspergillosis, subacute invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, aspergillus nodules and endobronchial aspergilloma. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is a hyper-reactivity reaction to Aspergillus species, and usually develops in asthma and cystic fibrosis patients. The aim of this article is to comprehensively overview different forms of aspergillosis, their symptoms and underlying conditions and to present imaging findings.