An air-fluid level in the cavity is the sign of the exacerbation in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis

Ref ID: 18412

Author:

Yohei Yatagai, Takehumi Saito , Yasuhiro Umetsu, Shimao Fukai.

Author address:

Respiratory Medicine, Ibarakihigashi National Hospital, Naka-Gun Tokai-Mura,
Japan; Department of Clinical Research, Ibarakihigashi National Hospital,
Naka-Gun Tokai-Mura, Japan

Full conference title:

European Respiratory Congress

Abstract:

Background:We have experienced a lot of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA)
cases showing exacerbation associated with change of intracavitary air-fluid levelsduring the development process. It seems very possible that appearances and
disappearances of air-fluid levels are related to exacerbation of CPA. But it has yet
to be determined.
Aims and objectives: To demonstrate relationship between air-fluid levels and
acute exacerbation of CPA.
Method: We analyzed retrospectively our patients with acute exacerbation of CPA
during the period from 2001 to 2010 at Ibarakihigashi National Hospital.
Results: We experienced 93 cases of acute exacerbation of CPA and the incidence
of appearance of air-fluid level was 34% (32 patients). At deterioration, new
infiltrative shadows appeared on separate sites from primary cavities in 33 patients
(35%), and 27 of them previously had air-fluid levels in their cavities. In 15 patients,
fluid volume in their cavities increased before acute exacerbation. Eight of
them showed new infiltrations away from primary lesions and fluid volume in their
cavities decreased after acute exacerbation. Corticosteroids drastically improved
their infiltrations on chest radiograph, blood findings and medical conditions in 5
out of 8. But in 3patients, corticosteroids didn’t improve their conditions.
Conclusion: The air-fluid levels in cavities were associated with acute exacerbation
of CPA. In some cases, patients showed new infiltrations away from cavities
with decreased fluids during acute exacerbation. It suggested that fluids in cavities,
which contained substances produced by Aspergillus, might damage separate sites
from primary cavities.

Abstract Number: P2517

Conference Year: 2011

Link to conference website: http://www.ers-education.org/ersMade/abstract_print_11/files/Abstract_book_2011.pdf

New link: NULL

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