Pulmonary aspergilloma is a mass caused by a fungal infection that usually grows in pre-existing lung cavities. It can also appear in the brain, kidney, or other organs.

Aspergillomas are formed when the fungus aspergillus grows in a clump in a pre-existing pulmonary (lung) cavity or when the organism invades previously healthy tissue, causing an abscess.

Aspergillus is a common fungus. It grows on dead leaves, stored grain, bird droppings, compost piles, and other decaying vegetation. Pre-existing cavities in the lung may have been caused by a previous infection, such as histoplasmosis, tuberculosis, lung abscess, or by cystic fibrosis, sarcoidosis, or previous lung cancer. See also aspergillosis.

Many patients have no symptoms. When symptoms do develop, they can include:

• Cough
• Coughing up blood (seen in up to 75% of patients)
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Unintentional weight loss
• Fever

• Chest x-ray
• Chest CT
• Sputum culture
• Bronchoscopy or bronchoscopy with lavage (BAL)
• Serum precipitins for aspergillus (blood test to detect antibodies to aspergillus)