흉막국균증 2례

Two Cases of Pleural Aspergillosis

저자들은 폐결핵의 병력이 있던 2명의 환자에서 기침과 객담을 주소로 내원하여 단순 흉부 방사선과 흉부 전산화 단층 촬영 결과 흉막비후와 기관지흉막루를 의심할 수 있는 공동형성을 보이고 흉막 천자액 배양과 수술후 조직배양검사결과 Aspergillus fumi-gatus가 확인되어 수술 및 항진균제를 사용하여 치료한 2례를 경험하였기에 이를 보고하는 바이다.

Aspergillosis refers to an infection with any species from the genus Aspergillus. Pleural aspergillosis is an uncommon disease with less than 30 cases having been reported in the literature since 1958. The etiologic factors for this aspergillosis are preexisting pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchopleural fistula, pleural drainage, and a lung resection. Surgical removal of the aspergillus-infected pleura is the main treatment for managing this disease. We have experienced two cases of pleural aspergillosis as a complication of a preexisting chronic empyema. The chest radiographs showed a pyopneumothorax with cavitation and the chest computed tomographic scans revealed a loculated pyopneumothorax with cavity formation suggesting a bronchopleural fistula. A grossly purulent fluid was extracted by thoracentesis, and Aspergillus fumigatus was grown from a fungus culture of the fluid. A decortication, wedge resection with a pleurectomy and a pleuropneumonectomy were performed. The postoperative course was satisfactory and the patients have been in good condition up to now. Pleural aspergillosis is a very rare and potentially life-threatening disease. However, good result without significant complication were obtained by treatment with systemic antifungal agents and surgical removal.