[A case of pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma coexisting with pulmonary actinomycosis].

Abstract

A 71-year-old man was referred to our hospital complaining of cough. Chest radiography revealed a mass opacity in the right upper lung field. A transbronchial biopsy specimen revealed non-specific inflammatory changes. Percutaneous lung aspiration biopsy under ultrasound guidance demonstrated gram-positive rods, suggesting actinomyces. On the diagnosis of pulmonary actinomycosis, the patient was treated with penicillin-G and his symptoms were relieved. In a three-month follow-up, the mass shadow in the right upper lung field was found to have increased in size. Squamous cell lung cancer was diagnosed on the basis of repeated transbronchial tumor biopsies, and right upper lobectomy was performed. Most cases of pulmonary actinomycosis have been diagnosed from post-surgical tumor specimens taken on suspicion of the presence of lung cancer. However, the lung cancer in this case was difficult to diagnose because the lung cancer was co-existent with pulmonary actinomycosis.

• Authors: Tetsutaro Nagaoka, Yasuhiro Setoguchi, Masashi Muramatsu, Noriyuki Honma, Takashi Danbara, Hideaki Miyamoto, Hiroshi Izumi, Toshimasa Uekusa, Yoshinosuke Fukuchi
• Journal: Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai zasshi = the journal of the Japanese Respiratory Society (Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai Zasshi) Vol. 40 Issue 6 Pg. 525-9 (Jun 2002) ISSN: 1343-3490 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 12325341 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Actinomycosis (complications, diagnosis)
• Aged
• Biopsy
• Bronchoscopy
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (complications, diagnosis, pathology)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Humans
• Lung Diseases (complications, diagnosis)
• Lung Neoplasms (complications, diagnosis, pathology)
• Male