Tuberc Respir Dis.  2012 Nov;73(5):278-281. 10.4046/trd.2012.73.5.278.

A Case of Tracheobronchial Aspergillosis Resolved Spontaneously in an Immunocompetent Host

• Lee HY
• Kang HH
• Kang JY
• Kim SK
• Lee SH
• Chung YY
• Kang HS
• Kwon HS
• Moon HS
• Lee SH

• KMID: 2050681
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2012.73.5.278

Abstract

A 47-year old man visited our hospital because of purulent sputum for 3 months. Chest X-ray showed destruction of both the upper lungs, and bronchoscopy revealed inflammatory change with whitish plaque on the left main bronchus through upper division of the left upper lobe. Tracheobronchial aspergillosis (TBA) was finally diagnosed as a result of histologic and microbiologic examination. However, he went abroad without medication before the diagnosis was made and visited again 10 months later. Follow-up bronchoscopy showed complete regression of the previously noted endobronchial lesion. We describe this case to consider the role of antifungal treatment in immunocompetent hosts, as well as to discuss a rare condition; TBA resolved spontaneously.

Keyword

Aspergillosis; Bronchial Diseases; Immunocompetence

MeSH Terms

Aspergillosis
Bronchi
Bronchial Diseases
Bronchoscopy
Follow-Up Studies
Immunocompetence
Lung
Sputum
Thorax

Figure

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  Figure 1 Initial chest X-ray showing old scar of pulmonary tuberculosis without infiltrative lesions in both upper lobes.

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  Figure 2 Initial bronchoscopic image showing with edematous, inflammatory changes of bronchial mucosa with whitish plaques.

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  Figure 3 Biopsy of bronchial mucosa showing Aspergillus organisms with branching and septated hyphae (H&E stain, ×400).

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  Figure 4 Follow-up bronchoscopic image after 10 months showing complete regression of the previously noted endobronchial lesions.

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