title: Thoracic actinomycosis as a cause of superior vena cava syndrome: report of a case.
abstract: We report an unusual case of superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) caused by thoracic actinomycosis in a 35-year-old man. The patient presented with a mediastinal mass and the diagnosis was confirmed by a right exploratory thoracotomy. Treatment with penicillin for a 15-month period resulted in a reduction in the size of the mediastinal mass and improvement of his clinical symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Thoracic Surgery Department, 401 General Military Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Christophoros
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kotoulas
authors.forename: Christophoros
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Foroulis
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Letsas
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Papamichalis
authors.forename: Achilles
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lioulias
mesh_terms: D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010406:Penicillins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D010406:Penicillins; D006493:Heparin; D008775:Methylprednisolone