Cavernoscopic removal of a fungus ball for pulmonary complex aspergilloma.

Lobectomy of the lung for aspergilloma is not always appropriate in elderly patients because of the high surgical risk. A 78-year-old male diagnosed with complex aspergilloma was referred to our hospital for recurrent hemoptysis. Because he refused lobectomy, we conducted a cavernoscopic removal of the fungus ball. The site of the skin incision was carefully designed preoperatively. After achieving access, the fungus ball was removed piece by piece under endoscopic view. Intraoperative blood loss equaled 30 mL. At 5 months postoperative follow-up, the patient had no evidence of recurrence. This procedure may be useful in some patients with complex aspergilloma.