Pulmonary aspergilloma: Bronchoscopic appearance

Aspergillus species can colonize preexisting pulmonary cavities, resulting in an intracavitary fungus ball (aspergilloma). Diagnosis of aspergilloma is made on the basis of characteristic radiographic findings, positive serum precipitins against Aspergillus species, and culture of the organism from sputum. Bronchoscopy is performed to determine the site of bleeding in persistent hemoptysis associated with aspergilloma or to rule out an alternate cause such as bronchogenic carcinoma. Direct visualization of the fungus ball during bronchoscopy is rare. We report the direct visualization of an aspergilloma during bronchoscopy.