Cor pulmonale complicating chronic pulmonary aspergillosis with fatal consequences: Experience from Uganda

Abstract

Cor pulmonale is a rare complication of pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). A 45-year-old Ugandan male with a history of recurrent community-acquired pneumonias was admitted with symptoms of progressive difficulty in breathing, chronic productive cough, non-exertional left sided chest pain and progressive weight loss occurring over a 12-month period. Chest CT scan and echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis of CPA with an aspergilloma complicating bronchiectasis, complicated with cor pulmonale. However, this was previously clinically misdiagnosed as PTB. Keywords: Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, Cor pulmonale, Recurrent community acquired pneumonia, Itraconazole, Uganda