<B>Aspergilloma </B>

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Aspergilloma

Etiology:

• Patients who have cavity inhale the fungus which is ubiquitous.

Pathogenesis:

• Patients who have bronchiectasis secondary to obstruction, cystic fibrosis, sequestration etc.
• Patients who have tuberculosis.
• Patients who have abscesses.

Epidemiology:

• Patients who have bronchiectasis secondary to obstruction, cystic fibrosis, sequestration etc.
• Patients who have tuberculosis.
• Patients who have abscesses.

General Gross Description:

• Preexisting pulmonary cavity (old abscess, infarct etc) filled with brown debris

General Microscopic Description:

• Cavity often lined by squamous epithelium with profound cytologic atypia which may be confused with squamous carcinoma
• Septate hyphae with branching at an acute angle
• Fruiting bodies may be seen

Clinical Correlations:

• Relatively asymptomatic patients
• Recurrent hemoptysis

References:
• Cotran RS, Kumar V, Robbins SL. Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. 5th edition. W.B. Saunders. Philadelphia 1994. pp.353-4.