Pulmonary actinomycosis mimicking lung cancer

Abstract

Herein, we reported on a case of solid type of pulmonary actinomycosis in a 10-year-old boy. He had productive cough for 40 days. Bronchoscopy was normal. Cmputed tomography revealed a solid large mass in the upper lobe of his left lung with mimicking malignant leisions. He was referred for surgery and underwent left upper lobectomy. Macroscopically, the specimen measured 13x9x5 cm and was creamy to whitish on cut section. Microscopic findings included a large number of inflammatory cells and colonies of actinomyces. Pulmonary actinomycosis should be included in the differential diagnoses of pulmonary mass lesions, especially in the young adults.