THORACIC ACTINOMYCOSIS MASKING AS A CENTR AL BRONCHIAL-CARCINOMA

Authors
Citation
H. Kremer et M. Ross, THORACIC ACTINOMYCOSIS MASKING AS A CENTR AL BRONCHIAL-CARCINOMA, Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift, 118(32), 1993, pp. 1150-1154
Citations number
18
Categorie Soggetti
Medicine, General & Internal
Volume
118
Issue
32
Year of publication
1993
Pages
1150 - 1154
Database
ISI
SICI code
Abstract
A 41-year-old cachectic woman (weight 42.7 kg, height 1.65 m) was admi tted to hospital because a chest radiogram had suggested a left centra l bronchial carcinoma. Four days previously she had noted for the firs t time a firm elastic swelling parasternally in the fourth intercostal space. This swelling was directly aspirated by needle after bronchosc opic results had been non-specific. Surprisingly, pus containing actin omyces filaments was aspirated. Computed tomography confirmed a parame diastinal abscess, 8 x 5 x 6 cm, which had infiltrated into the left t horacic wall. The abscess was incised and drained. After treatment for two weeks, initially with three times daily 10 mega penicillin G intr avenously, followed by erythromycin, 500 mg twice daily for 12 weeks, the thoracic actinomycosis was no longer demonstrable radiologically a nd by ultrasound. - It is suggested that in any unclear pulmonary infi ltrate without evidence of tuberculosis or carcinoma actinomycosis sho uld be included in the differential diagnosis.