Cornball the Knitten

𝙲𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝙿𝚛𝚘𝚏𝚒𝚕𝚎: 𝙲𝚘𝚛𝚗𝚋𝚊𝚕𝚕



Etiologic agent: A. fumigatus (saprophytic, filamentous)
Risk factors: PTB, CF, COPD, HIV, bronchiectasis, pneumoconiosis, sarcoidosis, lung CA
Pathophysiology: The fungus thrives in avascular lung spaces where it adheres to through its conidium (asexual reproductive spore), then germinates, produces hyphae, and releases an endotoxin. This causes an inflammatory reaction and creates a benign mass composed of mucus, hyphae, fibrin and WBCs.
Symptoms: some may be asymptomatic (incidental finding), chronic cough, hemoptysis, weight loss, chest pain, dyspnea
Sequelae: endocarditis (fungal vegetations), thrombosis, hemorrhage
Diagnostic tests: fungal culture of sputum, CXR (ULL cavitation & round opacity within the cavity), CT scan (visualizes the solid lesion, halo-sign, air-crescent sign, Monod sign), Biopsy, Video thoracoscopy, PCR, immunoassays
Treatment options: itraconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B, surgical resection, pneumonectomy, cavernostomy
Prognosis: <10% undergo spontaneous resolution, most cases progress despite initial therapy and require LDCT every 6 months or more frequently for those with comorbidities



𝙿𝚎𝚝 𝙸𝚗𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗


♡ Big thanks to @bone/@poptarts for trading this to me!~
♡ Joined the family on 12/12/22
♡ this creature belongs to 🆃🆆🅸🅽🅺🅻🅴 ⭐