title: Air crescent sign and fatal haemoptysis in pulmonary mucormycosis.
abstract: A case of invasive pulmonary mucormycosis complicated by fatal, massive haemoptysis in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia is reported. This patient represents the twelfth reported case of fatal haemoptysis due to mucormycosis. The other 11 cases are reviewed and the aetiology of cavity formation and massive haemoptysis is discussed. The development of the air crescent sign on chest radiograph is an important clinical indicator of potentially fatal haemoptysis and should lead to appropriate antifungal and surgical therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, City Hospital, Aberdeen, Scotland.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Dykhuizen
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Soutar
mesh_terms: D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000150:complications; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009091:Mucormycosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography