TB Research

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis manifested secondary to bacterial pleural empyema

Hiromu Kawano, Keiko Kan‐o, Ayaka Egashira, Isamu Okamoto

Respirology Case Reports · 2023-11

Abstract

Abstract A 54‐year‐old woman with no history of lung disease including bronchial asthma developed left bacterial pleural empyema due to the perforation of a lung abscess in the left lower lobe. Chest tube drainage and antibiotics improved the pleural empyema. Two months following discharge from the hospital, she developed a cough and left chest pain. Chest computed tomography revealed high‐attenuation mucus plugs, atelectasis in the left lower lobe, and an increased peripheral blood eosinophil count. Bronchoscopy revealed a mucoid impaction in B8 of the left lower lobe, confirming the presence of Aspergillus fumigatus . A diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis was made, and treatment with oral prednisolone was initiated, resulting in the resolution of the mucus plugs and improvement of atelectasis.

MeSH terms

  • Medicine
  • Atelectasis
  • Empyema
  • Lung abscess
  • Chest pain
  • Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
  • Aspergillus fumigatus
  • Aspergillosis
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Surgery
  • Sputum
  • Lung
  • Bronchiectasis