Fatal massive hemoptysis in a patient on low-dose oral prednisone: chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis.

Abstract

We report a case of chronic necrotizing aspergillosis in a 74-year-old man with chronic lung disease, who was on low-dose prednisone. The patient was treated with various antibiotics but had no improvement. Sample obtained via bronchoscopy grew Aspergillus, and the patient was started on lipid formulation amphotericin B. Three days after admission the patient developed fatal massive hemoptysis, presumably secondary to acquired systemic-to-pulmonary vascular communication. This is an unusual presentation of a rare manifestation of pulmonary aspergillosis. A high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose this susceptible patients.

• Authors: Bobbak Vahid, Paul Marik
• Journal: Respiratory care (Respir Care) Vol. 52 Issue 1 Pg. 56-8 (Jan 2007) ISSN: 0020-1324 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17319045 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Glucocorticoids
• Prednisone

Topics

• Aged
• Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary (complications, drug therapy, pathology)
• Aspergillus fumigatus (isolation & purification)
• Chronic Disease
• Fatal Outcome
• Glucocorticoids (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Hemoptysis (diagnosis, etiology)
• Humans
• Lung (diagnostic imaging, microbiology, pathology)
• Male
• Necrosis
• Prednisone (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed