Anti-fungal chemotherapy for symptomatic pulmonary aspergilloma.

withlow pulmonaryfunction・ In this study, we attempted to determine theindications for systemicanti-fungal treatment incases of symptomatic pulmonary aspergilloma・ From January 1994 to July 1998, 40 aspergilloma cases admitted with symptoms ofhemoptysisand fever were evaluated retrospectively・ The diagnosis of aspergilloma was based on the following findings: 1) existence ofafungus ballinthe cavitary lesion on chest X-ray fllmand/or CT scan, 2) detection ofAspergilus sp・ ln SPeCimens obtained from the airway, such as expectorated sputum and broncho-alveolar lavage nuid, and 3) positive result of serum aspergillus precipitin test・ The effectiveness ofanti-fungal treatment was assessed by 1) clinical symptoms, 2) radiological findings, and 3) microbiological data・ If the patients remained unchangedin regard to thethree criteria or if at least one criterion showed unfavorable changes,thetherapy was consideredineffective; otherwise it was considered effective. Statistical evaluation was assessed using the Mann-Whitney test.