title: Pulmonary actinomycosis: the great masquerader.
abstract: Actinomycosis is a rare but treatable disease. Thoracic manifestations are varied and can mimic malignancy or tuberculosis. We report the case of a 54-year-old man who presented with a persistent cough and radiological evidence of right upper lobe lung mass. Conventional computed tomography guided biopsy and bronchoscopy proved to be non-diagnostic. Thoracotomy and histopathologic examination of the tissue confirmed actinomycosis infection. Excellent clinical and radiologic responses were noted following treatment with penicillin V. Despite a high clinical suspicion, the diagnosis can prove to be challenging.
authors.affiliation: St Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Internal Medicine, Toledo, Ohio, 43608, USA.
authors.forename: Hussam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Elkambergy
authors.forename: Farzan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Irani
authors.forename: Kelechi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okoli
authors.forename: Raheel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jamal