Abstract
The management of pulmonary aspergilloma is still a topic of discussion. Demonstrating
several cases of pulmonary aspergilloma, their clinical course and their follow-up,
we try to contribute some arguments for the preference of an early operation. Between
1992 and 1998, 18 patients underwent thoracotomy for treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma.
The most common indication for operation were hemoptysis [6] and indeterminate mass
[6]. Lobectomy was the most frequent operation [11]. Underlying diseases were bronchiectasis
[10], tuberculosis [3], carcinoma [2], blebs [2], and epitheloid granuloma. Two patients
had postoperative complications, another three died later in the clinical course because
of liver failure, septicemia, and persisting air leakage and sepsis. We recommend
early resection of symptomatic, cavitating aspergilloma in the simple form and even
with an inflammatory reaction of the surrounding tissue. Especially low-risk patients
profit highly from an early operation. High-risk patients should be operated on only
in cases of life-threatening complications.
Key words
Pulmonary asperigilloma - Surgery
