Two cases of endobronchial actinomycosis that were cured by bronchoscopic removal and short-term antibiotic therapy.
- Author:
Hong Myong JUNG
1
;
Young Jun HWANG
;
Yong Soo AHN
;
Jae Sung YOUN
;
Min Geun LEE
;
Woo Jong KIM
;
Eun Woo LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Carollo Hospital, Suncheon, Korea. lew0118@hanmir.com
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Endobronchial actinomycosis;
Foreign bodies;
Short-term therapy;
Antibiotics
- MeSH:
Actinomyces;
Actinomycosis;
Anti-Bacterial Agents;
Bronchoscopy;
Chest Pain;
Cutaneous Fistula;
Foreign Bodies;
Humans;
Recurrence;
Ribs;
Sulfur;
Thoracic Wall
- From:Korean Journal of Medicine
2010;79(5):563-568
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Actinomycosis is an uncommon, chronic granulomatous, suppurative disease related to Actinomyces israelii, which is a natural inhabitant of the oropharyngeal cavity and the major human pathogen of actinomycosis. In the past, dramatic presentation of thoracic actinomycosis, in conjunction with prominent chest pain and cutaneous fistulas that discharge sulfur granules, has frequently been reported. However, more recent data indicate that chest wall or rib involvement is now much less common than was previously encountered. This could result in more favorable responses to short-term intravenous antibiotic therapy. Foreign-body-associated actinomycosis is a very rare type of thoracic actinomycosis. We report two cases of endobronchial actinomycosis associated with a foreign body. In both cases, the foreign body was successfully removed by bronchoscopy. Each patient was treated with antibiotics for about 70 days. The duration of antibiotic therapy was relatively short, as compared to conventional therapy. Nevertheless, there was no recurrence or complications over 1 year.
