Pulmonary aspergilloma (mycetoma)

Alternative names:

aspergilloma; fungus ball; mycetoma

Definition:

A fungal mass that grows in pre-existing lung cavities (or can cause new lung cavities).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Aspergilloma is caused by when the fungus (aspergillus) grows in a clump in pre-existing pulmonary (lung) cavities or when the organism invades the lung tissue causing an abscess.

Aspergillus is found commonly in the environment. It grows on dead leaves, stored grain, bird droppoings, compost piles, or other decaying vegetation. The preexisting cavities may have been caused by a previous infection of histoplasmosis, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, lung abscess, cystic fibrosis, or previous lung cancer. The disorder first may be detected by routine chest X-ray, or by coughing bloody sputum. The incidence is 1 out of 1 million people. See also aspergillosis.