Abstract

BACKGROUND--The treatment of symptomatic pulmonary aspergillomas can be difficult. One approach has been to deliver antifungal drugs directly into the lung cavity. The use of this method of treatment is described in which an indwelling percutaneous catheter is used which avoids repeated needlings of the cavity and may allow extended treatment on a domiciliary basis. METHODS--Amphotericin B was delivered through indwelling percutaneous intracavitary catheters to treat five symptomatic episodes in four patients with pulmonary aspergillomas. RESULTS--The treatment was well tolerated by all patients and their symptoms resolved in four of the five episodes. Two patients died, one from an unrelated bronchopneumonia and the other from advanced cachexia. Two patients remain symptom free after eight and 12 months. CONCLUSIONS--Intracavitary administration of amphotericin through an indwelling catheter should be considered for any patient who has troublesome sputum production, haemoptysis, or systemic symptoms attributable to an aspergilloma.