Analysis of surgical treatment for pulmonary aspergilloma

Surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma is reputed to be risky. The results of surgical treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma in 41 patients between 1988 and 2003 were evaluated retrospectively. Hemoptysis occurred in 31 patients (75.6%) and it was massive (> 300 mL in 24 hr) in 3. The underlying lung disease was tuberculosis in 35, bullous lung disease in 2, hydatid cyst in 2, and lung carcinoma in 2 patients. Lobectomy, bilobectomy, wedge resection, and pneumonectomy were performed in 27, 4, 6, and 4 patients respectively. The postoperative complication rate was 24.4%. One patient, who had a right pneumonectomy, died due to respiratory failure; the mortality rate was 2.4%. Recurrent hemoptysis was observed in only one patient. Early surgical treatment of patients with pulmonary aspergilloma resulted in a satisfactory outcome with acceptable morbidity, low mortality, and effective prevention of recurrent hemoptysis. Pneumonectomy has a high morbidity, thus it should be avoided if possible.     

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung incidentally found at surgery for pulmonary aspergillosis]

We report a 56-year-old man with pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) incidentally found at the surgery for pulmonary aspergillosis. In 1991, an abnormal chest radiographic shadow was found on a mass screening. A diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis was made by bronchoscopic examination. The patient was then followed up without treatment. He had hemoptysis in 2005, and was referred to our hospital. Chest CT scan revealed a cavitary lesion with an air crescent sign and an irregularly shaped nodule in the right apex. Wedge resection of these lesions was performed under video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Pathological examination revealed not only aspergilloma, but also an LCNEC 11 x 7 mm in size, which was located close to the aspergilloma. Microscopically, nests of tumor cells were distributed peribronchially. Right upper lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed, and the pathological stage was IIIA (T1N2M0). The patient received four cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel. No recurrence has been observed since surgery. This is the first report describing co-existence of pulmonary aspergilloma and LCNEC.     

Results of surgical treatment for pulmonary aspergilloma with 26 cases in six years: a single center experience

Surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma is reputed to be risky. We analyzed our results of the surgical treatment for pulmonary aspergilloma. Between 2003 and 2009, 26 patients underwent thoracotomy for treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma in our center. Results were evaluated retrospectively. There were 5 female and 21 male patients, with a mean age of 44 ± 11.6 years (28-70). The patients were divided into two groups, group A (simple aspergilloma; n= 8) and group B (complex aspergilloma; n= 18). Major underlying diseases were tuberculosis (61.5%). The most common indication for operation was hemoptysis (57.6%). Of our patients, 23% were complaining of massive hemoptysis or recurrent hemoptysis. Other patients were complaining of mild symptoms and some of them were totally asymptomatic. We performed 15 (57.6%) lobectomies (3 with associated segmentectomies), 8 (30.6%) segmentectomies/wedge resections, 2 (7.6%) pneumonectomies, and 1 (3.8%) cavernoplasty. Postoperative complications occurred in 15 (57.6%) patients. Complications occurred in 72.2% patients of complex aspergilloma, whereas 25% occurred in simple aspergilloma (p= 0.03). Major complications included prolonged air leak, empyema, air space. One patient who underwent lobectomies for complex aspergilloma developed bronchopleural fistula and died of respiratory failure on the 20th postoperative day. Operative mortality was 3.8%. The average postoperative hospital stay was 12.9 days. The mean follow-up period was average 44 months. The actuarial survival at 3 years was 90% and 100% for complex aspergilloma and simple aspergilloma, respectively (p> 0.05). There was two recurrence of disease (8%). But no recurrence of hemoptysis. Low morbidity rate may have been due to the selection of patients with localized pulmonary disease in this study. Surgical resection of asymptomatic or symptomatic pulmonary aspergilloma is effective in preventing recurrence or massive hemoptysis for patients whose condition is fit for pulmonary resection with reasonable mortality, morbidity and survival rates.     

肺曲菌病的X线表现与病理对照分析

目的对照病理改变探索肺曲菌病X线影像形成的机制?方法对51例肺曲菌病的X线所见,与28例病理标本对照分析?结果过敏性及侵袭性各1例,寄生性49例?X线影象在寄生性中最具特点,在基础性病变形成的空洞/空腔中有大小不等,形态不一的菌块,形成游离于空洞内的球体,洞内球周为具有特征的半月征及晕征?是寄生性肺曲菌病的主要诊断依据?结论1.肺结核是寄生性肺曲菌病的最多见的基础病?2.支气管动脉造影证实:曲菌病咯血的病理基础是支气管动脉损害。     

Surgical management of pulmonary aspergilloma

Records of 59 patients (41 males and 18 females) who underwent 70 operations for pulmonary aspergilloma in a 23-year period were examined retrospectively. Sixty-three operations were for primary treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma, and 7 were for complications of surgery. Twenty-six postoperative complications occurred in 19 patients. Three lobectomies that resulted in bronchopleural fistula were managed by intercostal muscle-flap closure and partial thoracomyoplasty. Two patients died within the first week of surgery. Surgery is the treatment of choice for most patients with pulmonary aspergilloma. Selective bronchial artery embolization is helpful only in combating hemoptysis, and this has been considered a temporary measure in most reports. Thus, open thoracotomy and anatomical resection are recommended as early as possible after the diagnosis is established.     

Pulmonary aspergilloma, diagnosis and treatment

Pulmonary aspergilloma is a saprophytic form of aspergillosis, and the diagnosis is usually based on radiological findings such as thickened cavitary wall and fungus ball, and on positive serum antibody. Up to 58% of the patients with aspergilloma in Japan have medical history of tuberculosis. Serum anti-Aspergillus antigen is almost always positive in aspergilloma patients but aspergillus antigen is usually negative. Massive hemoptysis can be a fatal complication of aspergilloma, and the most common complication was respiratory failure according to our study. Surgical resection is the only promising intervention to cure the aspergilloma, however, low pulmonary function does not allow operation. Antifungal treatment is chosen for those who are out of operation indication, but the efficacy of antifungal treatment against aspergilloma is controversial. Some patients with aspergilloma show progressive form, and we define such aspergillosis as CNPA, chronic necrotizing aspergillosis, although the original entity of CNPA by Binder et al. is different. We make a diagnosis of CNPA only if all the following entity meets, 1; progressive shadows in radiological findings regardless of the presence of aspergilloma, 2; have some symptoms such as cough, sputum, hemosputum, hemoptysis or fever, 3; proof of Aspergillus attribution by mycological or pathological examination, 4; positive systemic inflammatory reaction, 5; neglect of other etiology of pulmonary diseases. Since CNPA is usually progressive, patients with CNPA should be treated with antifungals.     

Noninvasive Aspergillus pulmonary disease

Noninvasive Aspergillus pulmonary disease may be the result of a host response to Aspergillus antigens or colonization of the lung with Aspergillus species. The prototype example of each of these phenomena are allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and aspergilloma. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is a form of asthma associated with a Type I, III, and IV allergic response to Aspergillus antigens. It presents clinically as asthma but is also associated with bronchiectasis, airway destruction, and permanent lung injury if inadequately treated. Treatment consists of anti-inflammatory agents such as corticosteroids. Antifungal agents may also be useful to lower the fungal antigen load. Aspergillomas grow in areas of devitalized lung. They may manifest as asymptomatic radiographic abnormalities. The concern is that they may lead to hemoptysis that can be life threatening. Definitive treatment is surgical resection, but this is often prohibited because these patients often have inadequate lung function to tolerate thoracic surgery. Other treatment options include azoles and percutaneous instillation of antifungals.     

肺曲菌球手术治疗(附10例报告)

本文报告10例肺曲菌球外科手术治疗的经验。由于抗菌素，激素和免疫抑制剂的广泛应用，肺曲菌球的发病率有逐渐增加的趋势。本组病例的主要临床症状是咳血，有典型的肺曲菌球X线表现者4例，其余6例均被误诊并行抗结核治疗数年。内科治疗对肺曲菌球无明显疗效。当频繁大量咳血，不能除外恶性或手术有助于原有基础病变的治疗，则应行外科处理。一般多行肺叶切除，偶而局部肺切除或病灶摘除也可获满意疗效。     

Bronchopulmonary aspergillosis infections in the non-immunocompromised patient

The definition of broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis infections in non-immunocompromised patients remains vague and a wide range of clinical, radiological and pathological entities have been described with a variety of names, i.e. simple aspergilloma, complex aspergilloma, semi-invasive aspergillosis, chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis, chronic cavitary and fibrosing pulmonary and pleural aspergillosis, pseudomembranous tracheobronchitis caused by Aspergillus, and invasive aspergillosis. However, these disease entities share common characteristics suggesting that they belong to the same group of pulmonary aspergillosis infectious disorders: 1- a specific diathesis responsible for the deterioration in local or systemic defenses against infection (alcohol, tobacco abuse, or diabetes); 2- an underlying bronchopulmonary disease responsible or not for the presence of a residual pleural or bronchopulmonary cavity (active tuberculosis or tuberculosis sequelae, bronchial dilatation, sarcoidosis, COPD); 3- generally, the prolonged use of low-dose oral or inhaled corticosteroids and 4- little or no vascular invasion, a granulomatous reaction and a low tendency for metastasis. There are no established treatment guidelines for broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis infection in non-immunocompromised patients, except for invasive aspergillosis. Bronchial artery embolization may stop hemoptysis in certain cases. Surgery is generally impossible because of impaired respiratory function or the severity of the comorbidity and when it is possible morbidity and mortality are very high. Numerous clinical cases and short retrospective series have reported the effect over time of the various antifungal agents available. Oral triazoles, i.e. itraconazole, and in particular voriconazole, appear to provide suitable treatment for broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis infections in non-immunocompromised patients.     

Surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma and pleural aspergillosis

Pulmonary aspergilloma and pleural aspergillosis are a potentially lifethreatening disease resulting from the colonization of lung or pleural cavities by the ubiquitous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Twenty four patients with pulmonary aspergilloma and five with pleural aspergillosis underwent major thoracic procedures at our hospital between 1976 and 1986. Fourteen of the patients had haemoptysis, in 9 it was recurrent, and in 5 life-threatening. Tuberculosis, pneumonia, and sarcoidosis were the most common preexisting lung lesions. Surgical procedures included 7 pleuropneumonectomies, 18 lobectomies and 4 wedge resections. The postoperative mortality rate was approximately 7% (2 pat.). Based on the pathological examination 4 patients had unexpectedly a bronchial carcinoma in addition to the aspergilloma. Bronchopleural fistula with persistent air space was a serious complication only for patients after pleuropneumonectomy. 23 patients including those with complex aspergilloma and pleural infection had no postoperative complications; in none of the 27 operative survivors were there any recurrent symptoms over a follow-up between one and ten years. Good-risk patients with documented aspergilloma, even asymptomatic, should be resected, because of the danger of exsanginating haemorrhage. For patients with pleural aspergillosis only the aggressive resection can provide effective long term palliation.     

Favorable acute and long-term outcomes after the resection of pulmonary aspergillomas

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study was designed to examine the acute and long-term outcomes after surgical treatment of patients with pulmonary aspergillomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1992 to 2006, 24 patients (21 men, mean age 58.4 years) with pulmonary aspergillomas underwent pulmonary resection. Operative indications were massive or repetitive hemoptysis in 6 patients, medically unmanageable localized infection in 14 patients, and undetermined mass in 4 patients. Eighteen patients (75.0 %) had background pulmonary diseases and four patients (16.7 %) were mildly immunocompromised. Eight patients had simple aspergillomas, while sixteen patients had complex aspergillomas. Two patients with pleural empyema had their pleural spaces sterilized before pulmonary resections. Fungus balls and pulmonary cavities along with the surrounding lung were removed in all patients. RESULTS: Surgical procedures consisted of 13 lobectomies, 5 pneumonectomies including one completion pneumonectomy, 2 segmentectomies and 4 wedge resections. Postoperative complication occurred in 10 patients (41.6 %) and one patient died from aortic bleeding due to postoperative empyema. Other major complications were prolonged air leaks, bleeding, and chylothorax. In the follow-up period, all but one patient were free from aspergillosis. Hemoptysis was not seen in any patient. Overall survival rates at 2, 5, and 10 years were 86.6 %, 79.4 % and 79.4 %, respectively. Disease-free survival rates from aspergillosis were 86.6 %, 72.6 % and 72.6 % at 2, 5, and 10 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary resection for aspergilloma showed favorable acute and long-term outcomes when surgical treatment was applied in selected patients.     

Abscess of residual lobe after pulmonary resection for lung cancer

Abscess of the residual lobe after lobectomy is a rare but potentially lethal complication. Between January 1975 and December 2006, 1,460 patients underwent elective pulmonary lobectomy for non-small-cell lung cancer at our institution. Abscess of the residual lung parenchyma occurred in 5 (0.3%) cases (4 bilobectomies and 1 lobectomy). Postoperative chest radiography showed incomplete expansion and consolidation of residual lung parenchyma. Flexible bronchoscopy revealed persistent bronchial occlusion from purulent secretions and/or bronchial collapse. Computed tomography in 3 patients demonstrated lung abscess foci. Surgical treatment included completion right pneumonectomy in 3 patients and a middle lobectomy in one. Complications after repeat thoracotomy comprised contralateral pneumonia and sepsis in 1 patient. Residual lobar abscess after lobectomy should be suspected in patients presenting with fever, leukocytosis, bronchial obstruction and lung consolidation despite antibiotic therapy, physiotherapy and bronchoscopy. Computed tomography is mandatory for early diagnosis. Surgical resection of the affected lobe is recommended.     

Cavernostomy and simultaneous removal of fungus ball of pulmonary aspergilloma]

Between 1991 and 2000, 21 patients (16 male and 5 female) underwent 28 cavernostomies for the treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma. The median age was 59.4 years (range 37-85 years). The mean %VC was 59.6 (range 30.4-91.2), and the mean FEV 1.0 was 1.51 ml (range 0.64-2.67 ml). The mean body mass index was 17.6 (range 12.7-23.2). The most common complaint was hemoptysis. The underlying lung disease was tuberculosis in 17 cases, atypical mycobacteriosis in 2, and unclassified in 2. All cases had been diagnosed as complex aspergilloma. The mean surgical duration was 136 minutes (range 85-203 min.) and the mean blood loss during surgery was 242 ml(range 5-810 ml). No death or major complications occurred in the postoperative course. During follow-up, 4 patients died of massive hemoptysis, cancer, respiratory failure or an unknown cause. Relapses of aspergilloma occurred in 9 patients (42.9%). Recavernostomy was performed safely on 5 patients. In conclusion, although the relapse rate of aspergilloma was high after cavernostomy, safe reoperations were performed. Cavernostomy is thus an effective treatment in high-risk patients.     

Role and outcome of surgery for pulmonary tuberculosis

The need and outcome of surgical intervention in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were assessed retrospectively. Between 1993 and 2003, 72 major surgical procedures were performed in 57 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. There were 44 males and 13 females with a mean age of 34 years. Indications for surgery were: trapped lung in 18 (31.6%), multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in 10 (17.5%), aspergilloma in 10 (17.5%), destroyed lung in 5 (8.8%), massive hemoptysis in 4 (7%), bronchopleural fistula in 3 (5.3%), persistent cavity in 2 (3.5%), and undiagnosed nodule in 5 (8.8%) patients. The most common procedure was lobectomy (31.9%). Other procedures included decortication, wedge resection, pneumonectomy, segmentectomy, and myoplasty. There were 28 complications in 18 patients, including prolonged air leak in 12 (21.1%), residual space in 7 (12.3%), empyema in 5 (8.8%), hematoma in 2 (3.5%), chylothorax and bronchopleural fistula in 1 (1.8%) each. There was no operative death, but one patient died from sepsis late in the follow-up period (mortality, 1.8%). As morbidity and mortality rates are acceptable, surgical intervention can be considered safe and effective in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.     

The role and landscape of surgical treatment for mycobacteriosis

[Surgery for pulmonary multi-drug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis] For pulmonary MDR tuberculosis the author (me) had been operating many cases in Fukujuji Hospital JATA in fifteen years. For treatment, the points of operations are as follows: 1) Surgery is one of many treatable events, 2) The strategy is that cavitary foci as major sites of tuberculous expectoration have to be removed and other small foci are treated by not strong chemotherapies, 3) Final goal of surgical treatments is set up preoperatively, and its procedures are stepped up gradually. [Surgery for pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis (NTM)] Major sites of pulmonary NTM expectorations are cavitary foci and bronchiectases. Main strategy of surgery for pulmonary NTM is the same as MDR tuberculosis, but multi-resections of cavitary and ectatic foci are more than MDR tuberculosis. Control rate of X-ray images is 80%, negative conversion rate is 88.9% in cases with more than one year postoperatively. But new or residual foci will be gradually growing up for several years postoperatively, so many discussions of surgical strategy for NTM are necessary now. [Surgery for pulmonary aspergillosis] Surgical treatments of pulmonary aspergillosis are difficult. Operations for them are mainly two procedures, resection of foci or no resection. The former is more radical than the later, but mortality rate is higher than usual pulmonary resection. However I think chest surgeons have to challenge to remove aspergillous foci, not aspergilloma but chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis.     

肺结核合并肺曲菌球病的外科治疗

目的总结肺结核合并肺曲菌球病的诊断和外科治疗经验。方法对经手术治疗的24例肺结核合并肺曲菌球病患者的临床资料进行分析。结果 24例患者术前确诊率为37.5%(9/24)。行肺叶切除术20例,全肺切除术4例,19例同时行肥厚胸膜切除术。全组无手术死亡。术后并发症8例(33.3%),分别为胸腔出血1例,支气管胸膜瘘3例,包裹性液气胸2例,肺不张2例。术后随访22例,患者无肺曲菌球病复发。结论肺结核合并肺曲菌球病术前确诊率低;手术切除病变肺叶及肥厚胸膜是治疗肺结核合并肺曲菌球病的有效方法。     

肺曲菌球40例临床分析

目的 探讨肺曲菌球的诊断和治疗方法. 方法 分析2001-2005年武汉市结核病院收治的40例肺曲菌球患者的临床诊治情况. 结果 40例中男24例,女16例,年龄17～61岁,平均37.7岁.40例中支气管扩张症和空洞型肺结核37例,肺囊肿2例,空洞型肺癌1例;咯血33例,反复间断小量咯血(＜20 ml/次)27例,大咯血6例;咳嗽、咳痰5例次;发热、盗汗3例次.40例患者均无基础疾病及长期使用抗生素史.术前、术后曲菌球的诊断符合率为60%(24例),原发病的诊断符合率为40%(16例).手术切除肺叶39例,全肺切除1例.死亡1例.随访1年,仅1例抗曲霉治疗6个月,余均未按要求服药.除2例大咯血患者复发外,余均痊愈. 结论 肺曲菌球多见于支气管扩张症及空洞型肺结核患者.多数患者可出现反复小量咯血.术前曲菌球和原发病诊断较困难.可根据病情采取不同的治疗方法,是否应首选手术或预防性手术有待商榷.出院后的抗曲霉治疗似乎并非必要.     

The clinical spectrum of pulmonary aspergillosis

Aspergillus is a ubiquitous fungus that causes a variety of clinical syndromes in the lung, ranging from aspergilloma in patients with lung cavities, to chronic necrotizing aspergillosis in those who are mildly immunocompromised or have chronic lung disease. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a severe and commonly fatal disease that is seen in immunocompromised patients, while allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is a hypersensitivity reaction to Aspergillus antigens that mainly affects patients with asthma. In light of the increasing risk factors leading to IPA, such as organ transplantation and immunosuppressive therapy, and recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of Aspergillus-related lung diseases, it is essential for clinicians to be familiar with the clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, and approach to management of the spectrum of pulmonary aspergillosis.     

A giant pulmonary aspergilloma managed surgically in an elderly man]

We describe a case of giant pulmonary aspergilloma in a 79-year old man. He had undergone an operation for pulmonary tuberculosis of the right lung at the age of 49 years. His chest ragiograph showed a large fungus ball in the right upper lung field. Taking his age and pulmonary condition into consideration, we performed a cavernostomy and fungus ball resection to prevent life-threatening hemoptysis. The postoperative course was satisfactory and without complication. Cavernostomy may be an alternative choice in high-risk aspergilloma patients.     

外科手术治疗74例肺结核并发肺曲菌球病患者的临床价值

目的 分析外科手术治疗肺结核并发肺曲菌球病的临床价值。方法 搜集2007—2016年在广西壮族自治区龙潭医院行外科手术的74例肺结核并发肺曲菌球病患者,对手术方式、手术治疗转归、并发症、术后随访等临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果 74例患者中,择期手术68例(91.9%),急诊手术6例(8.1%);73例(98.6%)手术顺利,术中因大出血死亡1例;行肺叶切除术54例(73.0%),肺段切除术5例,全肺切除术2例,复合肺切除术9例,肺楔形切除术4例。24例(32.4%)出现术后并发症:术后大出血1例,再次开胸止血治愈;呼吸功能衰竭1例,呼吸机辅助呼吸28d后成功脱机治愈;肺不张5例,4例经纤维支气管镜吸痰后肺膨胀良好,1例纤维支气管镜吸痰无效,继发呼吸功能衰竭后自动放弃治疗出院后死亡;脓胸4例,3例细菌性脓胸经持续引流治愈,1例曲霉菌性脓胸于术后15个月行电视胸腔镜脓胸廓清术时发生肺动脉破溃大出血,改为体外循环下左余肺切除术,但因不能纠正休克而死亡;肺泡胸膜瘘5例,3例经持续胸腔引流,2例行碘伏胸膜固定术加持续胸腔引流后治愈;支气管胸膜瘘1例,给予患者持续的胸腔引流3周后瘘口逐渐闭合治愈;胸部净化残腔7例,未处理。72例患者术后获得随访,1例患者随访期间死亡。最终治愈71例(96.0%),随访1~48个月,平均(11±3)个月,未见肺结核及肺曲菌球病复发。结论 选择合适的患者行外科手术,治愈率高,并发症发生率及死亡率在可以接受的范围之内,绝大多数患者能治愈。