This 73 year old patient with CPA in right upper lobe and COPD who was also a heavy smoker, showed evidence of finger clubbing ( A,B,C). He has been on long term itraconazole, in 1990 he had an oesophagectomy for cancer of the oesophagus. Finger clubbing is an uncommon symptom only seen in advanced or chronic disease. D, chest X ray there are background changes nofCOPD with loss of volume in the right hemithorax and a right apical cavititating lesion.
Patient diagnosed with Stage C Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia, treated in the MRC CLL4 study, with prednisolone for 4 weeks followed by oral chlorambucil for 7 days. Patient developed severe pneumonia due to pseudomonas and staphylococcus. Following treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics and 1 week of Abelcet, patient was readmitted with headache, disorientation and fever. CT brain scans showed 3 ring enhancing lesions, aspirated material showed neutrophils but grew aspergillus. Patient now improved on Abelcet (4 mg/kg) and oral itrconazole suspension 200mg b.d.
Thanks to Richard Chasty, Consultant Haematologist, North Staffordsire Hospital, UK.
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![Asp[1]niger](https://www.aspergillus.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Asp1niger-150x150.gif "Asp[1]niger")
