An unusual case of Aspergillus fibrosing mediastinitis

Ann Thorac Surg. 2009 Oct;88(4):1352-4. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2009.02.087.

Abstract

Fibrosing mediastinitis due to Aspergillus is rare, particularly in the immunocompetent host. Fibrosing mediastinitis due to Aspergillus species in the immunocompetent patient can be indolent and may be treated with antifungal therapy rather than surgery. We present a 78-year-old nonsmoking, nondiabetic woman with chronic fibrosing mediastinitis due to Aspergillus. Multiple attempts at securing a tissue diagnosis were inconclusive. Ultimately, Aspergillus infection was diagnosed by a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical biopsy. The patient was started on oral voriconazole, and she remains clinically stable with radiographic improvement. A prolonged, perhaps lifelong, course of antifungal therapy is planned.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aspergillosis / diagnosis
  • Aspergillosis / drug therapy
  • Aspergillosis / microbiology*
  • Aspergillus flavus / isolation & purification*
  • Biopsy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fibrosis
  • Humans
  • Mediastinitis / diagnosis
  • Mediastinitis / drug therapy
  • Mediastinitis / microbiology*
  • Mediastinum / diagnostic imaging
  • Mediastinum / microbiology*
  • Mediastinum / pathology
  • Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents