A Non-Aspergillosis Cause of Air Crescent Sign

Clinical Image

Austin J Radiol. 2021; 8(11): 1169.

A Non-Aspergillosis Cause of Air Crescent Sign

El Ouali I*, Elaitari K, Jerguigue H, Latib R and Omor Y

Department of Radiology, Oncology National Institute, Rabat, Morocco

*Corresponding author: El Ouali Ibtissam, Department of Radiology, Oncology National Institute, Lalla Asmaa Avenue, Al Azhar Residency A, Apt 21. Tabriquet, Salé, Morocco

Received: October 12, 2021; Accepted: November 03, 2021; Published: November 10, 2021

Keywords

Air Crescent Sign; Lung Cancer; Chemotherapy

Abbreviations

CT: Computed Tomography

Clinical Image

A 65 old man, with a history of heavy smoking was diagnosed with pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The initial chest CT showed a solid mass in the upper left lobe (Figure 1).

Figure 1: A chest CT-Scan in axial reconstruction revealing a pulmonary adenocarcinoma in the left upper lobe prior to chemotherapy.

Post-chemotherapy chest CT revealed a cavitary lesion with an air-crescent sign (Figure 2). The resulting aspect is an expression of the necrotic excavation of the tumor.

Figure 2: A chest CT scan in axial reconstruction performed after chemotherapy, revealing a cavitary lesion with thick wall and irregular outer border, with an air-crescent sign in the left upper lobe resembling a fungus ball mass.

The increased granulocyte activity causes the tumor to necrosis, then the liquefied material is evacuated completely or partially

into a bronchus, leaving a residual lumen filled by air, interposed between the devitalized tissue and the surrounding parenchyma, bearing a likeness to a fungus ball mass frequently recognized by its characteristic radiological appearance that we refer to as: the air crescent, meniscus or cap sign [1].

The physician should keep in mind that particular histological types of lung cancer may present an air-crescent sign, spontaneously or after chemotherapy.

References

  1. Felson B. Chest roentgenology. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co. 1973; 319: 327-329.

Citation: El Ouali I, Elaitari K, Jerguigue H, Latib R and Omor Y. A Non-Aspergillosis Cause of Air Crescent Sign. Austin J Radiol. 2021; 8(11): 1169.