investigations

Last reviewed 01/2018

In patients with clinically suspected invasive aspergillosis preliminary investigations include:

• chest radiograph, which may show:
• widespread parenchymal infiltration
• abscess formation
• sputum microscopy and culture

CT or MRI scanning of the chest has a high sensitivity for detecting invasive aspergillosis:

• halo lesions:
• ground-glass appearance around a nodule or area of consolidation
• cavitating lesions

Test for galactomannan antigenaemia

• a positive test on consecutive days in combination with CT/MRI evidence is considered diagnostic in the appropriate clinical circumstances (1)

Reference:

• 1) Denning, D. (2000). Early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis. Lancet 355, 423-4.