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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2024; 45(01): 050-060
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1776998
Review Article

Radiological Diagnosis of Pulmonary Aspergillosis

François Laurent
1   Centre de Recherche Cardio-thoracique de Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
,
Ilyes Benlala
1   Centre de Recherche Cardio-thoracique de Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
2   CHU Bordeaux, Service d'Imagerie Thoracique et Cardiovasculaire, Centre de Recherche Cardio-thoracique de Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
,
Gael Dournes
1   Centre de Recherche Cardio-thoracique de Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
2   CHU Bordeaux, Service d'Imagerie Thoracique et Cardiovasculaire, Centre de Recherche Cardio-thoracique de Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
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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.

Keywords

lung - aspergillosis - cystic fibrosis - imaging - computed tomography - magnetic resonance imaging


Publication History

Article published online:
29 January 2024

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