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Case Report
Aspergilloma mimicking postoperative recurrence of squamous cell lung cancer: A case report
1 Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
2 Clinic for Thoracic Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
3 Clinic for Thoracic Surgery, University Clinical Center Niš, 18000 Niš, Serbia
4 Center for Radiology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
5 Clinic for Pulmonology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Address correspondence to:
Stefan Stevanović
Clinic for Thoracic Surgery, University Clinical Center Niš, 10 Vojislava Ilića Street, 18000 Niš,
Serbia
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Article ID: 101516Z01MS2025
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How to cite this article
Savić M, Stevanović S, Garabinović Ž, Čolić N, Lukić K, Marić D. Aspergilloma mimicking postoperative recurrence of squamous cell lung cancer: A case report. Int J Case Rep Images 2025;16(2):20–24.ABSTRACT
Introduction: Pulmonary aspergilloma (PA) is a common clinical manifestation of lung infection caused by Aspergillus species. In addition to tuberculosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which are considered the most frequent underlying conditions, lung cancer is also recognized as an important etiopathogenetic factor.
Case Report: A chest computed tomography (CT) scan performed six months after thoracoscopic right upper lobectomy for primary squamous cell lung carcinoma (three months after completing chemotherapy) revealed a spiculated lesion in the apical segment of the ipsilateral lower pulmonary lobe, measuring 28×39×42 mm. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and serological testing confirmed Aspergillus species as the etiological agent of the pulmonary mass. The patient underwent conservative antifungal therapy, starting with 14 days of intravenous voriconazole during hospitalization, followed by oral itraconazole for six weeks post-discharge. Notably, he remained asymptomatic both prior to diagnosis and throughout treatment. Follow-up chest CT scans revealed complete resolution of the pulmonary aspergilloma, with residual calcified fibrous tissue consistent with chronic post-treatment changes.
Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of considering PA in the differential diagnosis of new lung lesions detected after lung cancer surgery, given its ability to closely mimic tumor recurrence.
Keywords: Antifungal therapy, Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, Lung cancer, Radiological presentation
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Author Contributions
Milan Savić - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Drafting the article, Final approval of the version to be published
Stefan Stevanović - Drafting the article, Final approval of the version to be published
Željko Garabinović - Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Nikola Čolić - Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Katarina Lukić - Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Dragana Marić - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Guarantor of SubmissionThe corresponding author is the guarantor of submission.
Source of SupportNone
Consent StatementWritten informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this article.
Data AvailabilityAll relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.
Conflict of InterestAuthors declare no conflict of interest.
Copyright© 2025 Milan Savić et al. This article is distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium provided the original author(s) and original publisher are properly credited. Please see the copyright policy on the journal website for more information.
