Aspergilloma (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
*Blood test for presence of aspergillus in the body (galactomannan) | |||
*Blood test to detect antibodies to aspergillus ([[serum precipitins]] for aspergillus) | |||
*[[Bronchoscopy]] or bronchoscopy with lavage | |||
*[[Chest CT]] | |||
*[[Chest x-ray]] | |||
*[[Sputum culture]] | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Revision as of 15:08, 25 September 2012
For the WikiDoc page on this topic, click here.
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Aspergilloma |
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Aspergilloma On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Charmaine Patel, M.D. [2]
Overview
Pulmonary aspergilloma is a mass caused by a fungal infection that usually grows in lung cavities. It can also appear in the brain, kidney, or other organs.
What are the symptoms of Aspergilloma?
Many patients have no symptoms. When symptoms do develop, they can include:
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Coughing up blood or hemoptysis
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Unintentional weight loss
What causes Aspergilloma?
Aspergillomas are formed when the fungus aspergillus grows in a clump in a lung cavity, or invades previously healthy tissue, causing an abscess.
Aspergillus is a common fungus. It grows on dead leaves, stored grain, bird droppings, compost piles, and other decaying vegetation. Cavities in the lung may have been caused by:
Who is at highest risk?
Diagnosis
- Blood test for presence of aspergillus in the body (galactomannan)
- Blood test to detect antibodies to aspergillus (serum precipitins for aspergillus)
- Bronchoscopy or bronchoscopy with lavage
- Chest CT
- Chest x-ray
- Sputum culture
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Aspergilloma?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Condition