Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.
2002 Dec;35(12):914-916.
Thoracic Actinomycosis: A Case Report
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Catholic University Medical College, St. Vincent's Hospital, Korea. drcs5223@daum.net
- 2Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Catholic University Medical College, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, Korea.
- 3Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Catholic University Medical College, St. Mary's Hospital, Korea.
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.
