A trial of isolating a tumor-like form of pulmonary cavities infected with aspergilli. II. Intra- and postoperative, morphologic and serologic data.

In ten specimens of resected pulmonary tissue, a little known and underscribed form of aspergillosis called tumor-like blocked pulmonary cavity with liquid content infected with aspergilli was observed. This designation was based on the finding in the specimens of tumor-like cavitary structures with blocked bronchus and contents from which abundant growth of aspergillus fumigatus was invariably obtained in cultures. Nine of the ten specimens were bronchiectasis, and one was a bronchogenic cyst. The scant literature was review, emphasizing features characteristic of this form of mycetoma and differences from the typical and frequently encountered form of ordinary pulmonary aspergilloma. The serologic response and its long duration were attributed to biological properties of aspergilli in this form caused by inaccessibility of oxygen and by occlusion of the bronchial lumen.