Localized invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with neutropenia. Effectiveness of surgical resection.

BACKGROUND

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with neutropenia. Two severe complications with poor outcome can be observed after apparently successful IPA medical treatment: severe hemoptysis and IPA relapse during subsequent cytotoxic treatments. Early surgical therapy has not been considered routinely in the management of localized IPA.

METHODS

Six consecutive patients (four women, two men; median age, 52 years) with localized cavitating IPA diagnosed during chemotherapy-induced aplasia were treated with early surgical resection after hematologic recovery.

RESULTS

All patients received a lobectomy. Surgery was uneventful. This procedures allows patients to proceed with further intensive chemotherapy and/or bone marrow transplantation without IPA reactivation.

CONCLUSIONS

For selected patients, surgical resection of localized IPA with unique cavitating lesion, which prevents hemoptysis and IPA recurrence and allows for subsequent cytotoxic treatment, may be recommended.