title: Pulmonary Aspergillosis: What CT can Offer Before it is too Late!
abstract: Aspergillus is a large genus of saprophytic fungi which are present everywhere in the environment. However, in persons with underlying weakened immune response this innocent bystander can cause fatal illness if timely diagnosis and management is not done. Chest infection is the most common infection caused by Aspergillus in human beings. Radiological investigations particularly Computed Tomography (CT) provides the easiest, rapid and decision making information where tissue diagnosis and culture may be difficult and time-consuming. This article explores the crucial role of CT and offers a bird's eye view of all the radiological patterns encountered in pulmonary aspergillosis viewed in the context of the immune derangement associated with it.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Radiodiagnosis, PGIMER & Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital , New Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Akhila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.affiliation: Senior Resident, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi , Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Kshitij
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.affiliation: Chief Medical Officer, Respiratory Division, Department of Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital , New-Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Desh
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Deepak
authors.affiliation: Ex-Senior Resident, Department of Radiodiagnosis, PGIMER & Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital , New Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Swapndeep Singh
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Atwal
keywords: Air-crescent; Fungal ball; Halo sign; Invasive aspergillosis