Radiological Diagnosis of Pulmonary Aspergillosis

Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2024 Feb;45(1):50-60. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1776998. Epub 2024 Jan 29.

Abstract

Imaging plays an important role in the various forms of Aspergillus-related pulmonary disease. Depending on the immune status of the patient, three forms are described with distinct imaging characteristics: invasive aspergillosis affecting severely immunocompromised patients, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis affecting less severely immunocompromised patients but suffering from a pre-existing structural lung disease, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis related to respiratory exposure to Aspergillus species in patients with asthma and cystic fibrosis. Computed tomography (CT) has been demonstrated more sensitive and specific than chest radiographs and its use has largely contributed to the diagnosis, follow-up, and evaluation of treatment in each condition. In the last few decades, CT has also been described in the specific context of cystic fibrosis. In this particular clinical setting, magnetic resonance imaging and the recent developments in artificial intelligence have shown promising results.

MeSH terms

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary* / diagnostic imaging
  • Aspergillus
  • Cystic Fibrosis*
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung / pathology
  • Pulmonary Aspergillosis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Aspergillosis* / drug therapy