Soonchunhyang Med Sci.  2019 Dec;25(2):135-138. 10.0000/sms.2019.25.2.135.

A Case of Lung Abscess Caused by Pulmonary Actinomycosis

• Hwang SW

• KMID: 2470416
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/sms.2019.25.2.135

Abstract

Actinomycosis is a slowly progressive and indolent infectious disease characterized by acute suppurative inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis. It usually occurs in cervicofacial, abdominopelvic, and pulmonary areas. Pulmonary actinomycosis accounts for 15%-20% of total cases and is often accompanied by empyema, necrosis, and pleural effusion. Its clinical manifestations and radiologic features are nonspecific unfortunately. We report a case of lung abscess caused by pulmonary actinomycosis in a 53-year-old man, presented with fever, chilling, myalgia, and hemoptysis for 15 days. The plain chest radiograph showed a mass-like lesion in the left upper lung field. The computed tomography scan revealed mass-like infiltration with a huge cavity and central necrosis. Microscopic examination of the lung specimen showed Gram-positive sulfur granules and was consistent with pulmonary actinomycosis.

Keyword

Actinomycosis; Sulfur granule; Lung abscess

MeSH Terms

Actinomycosis*
Communicable Diseases
Empyema
Fever
Fibrosis
Hemoptysis
Humans
Inflammation
Lung Abscess*
Lung*
Middle Aged
Myalgia
Necrosis
Pleural Effusion
Radiography, Thoracic
Sulfur
Sulfur