[Pulmonary actinomycosis diagnosed through transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB)].
Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rather rare chronic pulmonary infection. Its diagnosis may be difficult without biopsy, because its culture from sputum or bronchial secretion is rarely successful. We report a case of pulmonary actinomycosis diagnosed by means of TBLB. A 57-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of hemosputum. The chest radiograph at the first visit revealed a nodular lesion in the right middle lobe. The biopsy examination showed sulfur granules of which PAS-positive mycelium was arranged in a radiating pattern. On the basis of these findings, we diagnosed pulmonary actinomycosis. So far, there have been only 4 reported cases of pulmonary actinomycosis diagnosed by TBLB in Japan. TBLB is worth trying in the diagnosis of pulmonary actinomycosis, because it can avoid surgical procedures, if successful.
Oki
Yoshio
Y
Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Internal Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Japan.
Morishita
Munehiko
M
Kato
Harumichi
H
Tokudome
Michiko
M
Sanji
Hiroshi
H
Kamasawa
Ryu-ichi
R
Tetsu
Kaori
K
Miyara
Hajime
H
Watanabe
Kazuchika
K
Hara
Kazuo
K
D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D001980:Bronchi; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged