Fungus ball; Mycetoma; Aspergilloma; Aspergillosis - pulmonary aspergilloma DefinitionPulmonary aspergilloma is a mass caused by a fungal infection. It usually grows in lung cavities. The infection can also appear in the brain, kidney, or other organs. CausesAspergillosis is an infection caused by the fungus aspergillus. Aspergillomas are formed when the fungus grows in a clump in a lung cavity. The cavity is often created by a previous condition. Cavities in the lung may be caused by diseases such as:
The most common species of fungus that causes disease in humans is Aspergillus fumigatus. Aspergillus is a common fungus. It grows on dead leaves, stored grain, bird droppings, compost piles, and other decaying vegetation. SymptomsYou may not have symptoms. When symptoms do develop, they can include:
Exams and TestsYour health care provider may suspect you have a fungal infection after x-rays of your lungs show the ball of fungus. Other tests that may be done include:
TreatmentMany people never develop symptoms. Often, no treatment is needed, unless you are coughing up blood. Sometimes, antifungal medicines may be used. If you have bleeding in the lungs, your provider may recommend a test to inject dye into the blood vessels (angiography) to find the site of bleeding. The bleeding is stopped by either:
Outlook (Prognosis)The outcome can be good in many people. However, it depends on the severity of the condition and your overall health. Surgery may be very successful in some cases, but it is complex and can have a high risk of serious complications. Possible ComplicationsComplications of pulmonary aspergilloma may include:
When to Contact a Medical ProfessionalSee your provider if you cough up blood, and be sure to mention any other symptoms that have developed. PreventionPeople who have had related lung infections or who have weakened immune systems should try to avoid environments where the aspergillus fungus is found. ReferencesPatterson TF, Thompson GR 3rd, Denning DW, et al. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of aspergillosis: 2016 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2016;63(4):e1-e60. PMID: 27365388 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27365388/. Saullo JL, Alexander BD. Fungal infections: opportunistic. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 57. Walsh TJ. Aspergillosis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 319. | |
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Review Date: 9/10/2022 Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. | |
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