Thoracic Actinomycosis: A Case Report.
- Author:
Chan Beom PARK
1
;
Si Young CHOI
;
Deog Gon CHO
;
Seok Hwan MOON
;
Kyu Do CHO
;
Kun Hyun CHO
;
Young Pil WANG
;
Sun Hee LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Catholic University Medical College, St. Vincent's Hospital, Korea. drcs5223@daum.net
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Actinomycosis;
Lung neoplasm
- MeSH:
Abscess;
Actinomyces;
Actinomycosis*;
Chest Pain;
Cough;
Diagnosis;
Diagnosis, Differential;
Fever;
Gastrointestinal Tract;
Hemoptysis;
Lung;
Lung Neoplasms;
Penicillins;
Recurrence;
Sputum;
Sulfur;
Thorax;
Tuberculosis;
Weight Loss
- From:The Korean Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
2002;35(12):914-916
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Actinomycosis of the lung is a chronic, suppurative granulomatous infection which is caused by Actinomyces israelii. It is believed to enter the thorax by way of the bronchial tree, by aspiration of contaminated aerosol particles in the upper digestive tract. Symptoms of chronic cough, sputum, hemoptysis, low grade fever, chest pain, and weight loss are common. Chest X-ray shows mass like lesion, pulmonary infiltration, abscess, and tuberculosis like lesion, which makes differential diagnosis from lung cancer very difficult. Surgical intervention is needed for the diagnosis and treatment, and diagnosis of actinomycosis is achieved when histologic examination reveals sulfur granules containing filamentous organisms. Penicillin is the drug of choice. Two or three months of penicillin treatment is recommended to treat the oropharyngeal or dental abscess to avoid recurrences. We present a case of actinomycosis which is suspected to malignant with review of literatures.
