A case report of aspergillosis accompanied by saccular bronchodilation after bronchial thermoplasty in a 19-year-old woman

Fungal infections are rarely reported as a complication of bronchial thermoplasty (BT) in patients without immunosuppressive comorbidity.

A 19-year-old woman college student was admitted to our hospital owing to uncontrolled severe asthma despite using the maximum dose of steroid inhalation. She experienced asthmatic attacks more frequently while cheerleading, which is an extracurricular activity. She received BT because she wanted to continue cheerleading. After the second BT session, she developed more sputum and cough. During the third session, white secretion and saccular bronchodilation appeared in the left lower bronchus. Aspergillus fumigatus was detected in the culture of the bronchial lavage sample, and saccular bronchodilation in the affected bronchus was observed on computed tomography (CT). Five months after the start of oral itraconazole, her subjective symptoms as well as her CT findings improved. Her asthma condition improved enough for the patient to continue cheerleading without exacerbation.

It is necessary to consider the possibility of respiratory tract infections including fungal infections after BT. Detailed observations of the entire bronchus and sample collection for microbial culture are highly recommended.